New England Patriots (9-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -6.5, Total 51.5
Series Rewind: The Patriots have won four of the last five meetings to extend their lead in the series to 18-10. The Bengals have not defeated New England in Cincinnati since a 13-6 victory on Oct. 6, 2013.
A victory will give New England its 28th 10-win season, tying Pittsburgh for the second most since 1970 behind Dallas (29). The Patriots are 5-0 on the road this season, the only team in the NFL without a loss. New England’s eight-game winning streak is its longest since an 8-0 start in 2019. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense ranks No. 1 against the run (84.7 yards per game) and is facing a Cincinnati offense that is tied for 31st in rushing (81.4). New England’s Drake Maye can become just the fourth player ever under the age of 24 to record 10 games with at least 200 passing yards and a 100-plus passer rating. Bengals WR Tee Higgins has caught touchdown passes in nine straight home games, joining Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Cris Carter with that accomplishment, and steps into the No. 1 receiver role with Ja’Marr Chase suspended one game for spitting at Steelers DB Jalen Ramsey last week. The Bengals could also get TE Mike Gesicki back in the lineup from a pectoral injury that pushed him to IR. But which Joe will throw? Burrow or Flacco? Sidelined since Week 2, Burrow (toe) was a full participant in practice this week. Flacco has been playing through a right shoulder injury. A tight turnaround to Thursday’s primetime holiday game at Baltimore might weigh into the decision.