New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals
Final Score: Patriots 26, Bengals 20
Writer: Griffey Geiss (@ggeiss_mlb and @ggeiss_PL on Twitter)
The Patriots and Bengals squared off in a fairly even matchup, trading a plethora of injuries, flags, and sloppy plays. Both QBs ended up throwing pick-6s, and the offenses heavily relied on their kickers, who turned in a 10-for-10 performance in all between field-goal and extra-point attempts. They combined for 22 points. After the battle, the Patriots ended up on top — they became the NFL’s first team in 2025 to reach ten wins.
Three Up
- Hunter Henry — Completely took over in the Patriots’ receiving game, posting his best stat line since Week 3.
- Chase Brown — First running back to rush for 100 yards against the Patriots in 2025.
- Drake Maye — MVP chants continue to be justified, leading the Pats to their ninth straight win, nearly passing for 300 yards.
Three Down
- Tee Higgins — Could not get any consistent action, even with Ja’Marr Chase sidelined.
- Joe Flacco — Turned in his worst performance since joining Cincinnati in what ironically may be his last start as a Bengal.
- Rhamondre Stevenson — Has all but officially lost his starting role to rookie TreVeyon Henderson.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: 22/35, 294 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 5 carries, 22 yards
Drake Maye was solid overall, dinking and dunking while spreading the wealth around to his many pass catchers. Maye extended his streak of nine consecutive games with an average yards per attempt greater than 8. He’s also thrown for at least 250 yards and a touchdown over the past five games. Maye remains top five in the NFL in categories such as passing yards, passing TDs, and total QBR … a legit MVP candidate.
Missed Opportunities
- Crosser over the middle intended for Hunter Henry was overthrown and intercepted.
- 10-yard touchdown to Henry nullified due to offensive pass interference.
Running Back
TreVeyon Henderson: 18 Carries, 66 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 15 Yards
TreVeyon Henderson, even with the return of veteran Rhamondre Stevenson, assumed the starting role and did not disappoint. It’s exactly as I (and others) have said all year — if the Patriots simply deploy Henderson and use his explosive talent, good things happen.
Henderson was the lead back in both the ground and passing games, more than doubling his backup’s snap count, something that should prove to be a very positive development moving forward. He’s generated 65 carries over the past four weeks (about 16 per game) along with a total of 14 receptions.
Rhamondre Stevenson: 6 Carries, 5 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
It was inevitable. After missing multiple weeks with a toe injury, Rhamondre Stevenson returned to ultra-lackluster production and a mighty small role in a New England offense that hasn’t missed him.
Terrell Jennings: 1 Carry, 0 Yards
Terrell Jennings, serving as the third-string back for New England, managed just one carry but did return one kick for 20 yards.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Hunter Henry: 10 Targets, 7 Receptions, 115 Yards, TD
Hunter Henry‘s roster rate was buzzing towards the start of the year, but as the offense has started to transform, Henry’s target rate dropped. It wasn’t like Maye didn’t like to go his way — quite the opposite, in fact — but there are just too many mouths to feed. Clearly, the Pats saw something on film, allowing for both Henry and Austin Hooper to combine for over 150 receiving yards as tight ends.
Not only was Henry’s 115 receiving yards a season high, surpassing his magical Week 3 performance against the Steelers, but a career high for the 30-year-old.
Mack Hollins: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 30 Yards
Mack Hollins remained a focal point of the Patriots’ offense even with just two receptions, leading the Patriots’ skill players in snaps in yet another game. He’s combined for over 200 yards throughout the past three weeks.
Stefon Diggs: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Stefon Diggs had a quiet game for the first time in a while, playing just 34 of 71 offensive snaps and running 21 routes. For reference, five skill players had (significantly) more snaps against the Bengals. Diggs’ two receptions was tied for the most among Pats receivers against the Bengals, so I wouldn’t look too far into this.
Kyle Williams: 1 target, 1 reception, 18 yards
In addition to his 18-yard reception, Kyle Williams returned three kicks for a combined 86 yards.
Austin Hooper: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 39 Yards
DeMario Douglas: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 37 Yards | 1 Carry, 14 Yards
Kayshon Boutte: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Flacco: 19/37, 183 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 1 Carry, 3 Yards
Joe Flacco, without top wideout threat Ja’Marr Chase, turned in by far and away his worst performance as a Bengal under center. Unfortunately for the veteran, this may also be his last game in orange with Joe Burrow‘s return looming. In what was a spectacular run as a bridge QB1, Flacco has turned in back-to-back sub-200-yard games with four INTs, completely being inefficient (about 58% and now 51% completion percentages). His QBR went from averaging well above 100.0 to averaging about 66 against the Steelers and Patriots. Not ideal.
Jake Browning: 1/1, 14 Yards
Running Back
Chase Brown: 19 Carries, 107 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 23 Yards
This is precisely what fantasy managers envisioned when drafting Chase Brown early this year. Brown, 25, has now managed to combine for at least 100 scrimmage yards in five consecutive weeks while rushing for 90 or more yards in three of his last five games. Brown looked good, powering through a tough D-line and fighting for extra yards. Next up? Hopefully, we can see those touchdown numbers spike a bit.
Tahj Brooks: 2 Carries, 5 Yards | 1 Target
Tahj Brooks served as Cincy’s backup running back. In addition to his two carries, Brooks returned a kick for 20 yards.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Andrei Iosivas: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 61 Yards
With Chase suspended, it was Andres Iosivas who took over the WR1 role in terms of production. He was targeted all over the field on a variety of routes and looked solid overall. Iosivas also led all Bengals skill players in snaps. He’s combined for 147 yards over his last three games.
Mike Gesicki: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards
The 35 yards is by far and away a season high for Mike Gesicki, more than doubling his prior mark while just taking part in 28 snaps.
Tee Higgins: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 31 yards
Tee Higgins couldn’t muster anything special, even without target-magnet Chase eliminated from the game plan with a one-game suspension. Higgins did draw a tough matchup against top-five cornerback Christian Gonzalez, however. Higgins went down with what appeared to be a head injury late in the game on a clear pass interference. He was carted off in concussion protocol and did not return.
Mitchell Tinsley: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 29 yards, TD
It was Mitchell Tinsley, a second-year Penn State product, who hauled in Cincy’s only tuddy of the afternoon. The 26-year-old hasn’t made much of an impact in 2025, but has generated 20 or more yards in two of his last three games.
Charlie Jones: 1 Target
Charlie Jones was not active in the passing game, but he did return three kicks for a combined 72 yards and two punts for 14 yards.
Tanner Hudson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Noah Fant: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Drew Sample: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 0 Yards