Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 23, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Network: CBS
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: START, QB1
Former Tar Heel Drake Maye is a weekly must-start, but did you know that the legendary ESPN SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott, famous for catchphrases like “Boo-yah!” and “Cool as the other side of the pillow,” is also an alumnus of UNC?
Running Back
Treveyon Henderson: START, RB2
Rhamondre Stevenson: FLEX, RB3
Terrell Jennings: SIT
Not one…not two..not three…I mean, yeah, three, as in THREE touchdowns for TreVeyon Henderson in Week 11 versus the Jets. That gives the rookie a total of FIVE in his last two games, including his first career receiving touchdown. Rhamondre Stevenson was expected to practice at the time of writing, but there’s no word as to limited, full, or his status for Sunday. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous for Stevenson’s return. But I think Mike Vrabel isn’t dense enough to continue to give Stevenson the majority of touches after Hendo going loco these past two games. I would imagine at minimum a 50/50 split between the two, and against the top fantasy matchup for running backs in the Bengals, that’s enough to keep Henderson an RB1, and Stevenson a FLEX with RB2 upside. Sadly, we have to play it cautiously with Hendo until we see what the workload will look like with Stevenson. If Vrabel finally feeds the rookie, he could be a legitimate league winner down the stretch.
TRE BALL FOR TRE.
NYJvsNE on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0fyOYQVsOL— NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2025
Wide Receiver
Stefon Diggs: START, WR1
Kayshon Boutte: FLEX, WR4 (If returns from injury)
Mack Hollins: SIT
DeMario Douglas: SIT
Kyle Williams: SIT
Stefon Diggs played a season-high 69% of snaps in Week 11, scoring 19.5 fantasy points, his second-highest total of the season. Diggs has proven to be the most consistent Patriots pass catcher, scoring 10+ in seven of his last eight games, maintaining a moderately high ceiling. As for the rest of New England’s receivers, you’re basically picking a name out of a hat and hoping he’s the guy to go off that week. Kayshon Boutte is expected to return this week, muddying up the target share for Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and rookie Kyle Williams. As fantasy-friendly as the Bengals have been to the running back, receivers haven’t had to do quite as much. Diggs is a must start, but the others are risky FLEX plays at best. If Boutte returns, he’s worth the gamble. But the others aren’t.
Tight End
Hunter Henry: START, TE1
An esteemed member of THE GLOB, Hunter Henry (and just about any tight end) is an auto-start against the Bengals. Cincy is the top fantasy matchup for tight ends and allowed a whopping 12 touchdowns to the position.
Defense/Special Teams
New England Patriots: START
New England is one of five teams holding opponents under 19 points per game this season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Flacco: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
The Steelers were able to restrain Joe Flacco in Week 11, holding him to fewer than 200 passing yards and one touchdown for the first time since joining Cincy. It won’t get any easier against the Pats, who have held every quarterback faced since Week 3 under 260 passing yards, five of them to under 156 yards or less. They’ve given up some scores through the air over the past few weeks, allowing Michael Penix and Baker Mayfield to throw for three each. But with no Ja’Marr Chase, Flacco should only be started in Superflex leagues.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB2
Tahj Brooks: SIT
A player I’ve changed my tune on over the past few weeks, Chase Brown, had his third straight game over 18 fantasy points and his second straight with at least six catches. Since Samaje Perine went down, Brown has played 89.1% of snaps and taken 78.4% of the team’s carries. Even against the Patriots, who’ve allowed the fewest fantasy points to the position this season, Brown’s an RB2 and near must-start thanks to his immense volume.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase
Tee Higgins: START, WR2
Andrei Iosivas: FLEX, WR4
Although he’s amid an appeal at the time of writing, Ja’Marr Chase is expected to be out in Week 12, suspended for spitting on Jalen Ramsey in last week’s game. I wish it were a better matchup for Tee Higgins, as the Pats have allowed just three 100-yard receivers this season. Maybe it’s a good sign that two of the three have come since Week 9. But he’s still a solid volume-based WR2 who has the talent to take it to the house on any given target. Andrei Iosivas is a decent dart throw FLEX with the expected bump in involvement if you require a warm body.
Tight End
Noah Fant: SIT
Did you know that Noah Fant is short for No-ah Fantasy value?
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
