The New England Patriots are hitting the highway to open their 2024 season, going through off in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday at 1pm. This marks the fourth time the Pats will kick off a marketing campaign in opposition to the Bengals, and the primary since a 38-24 blowout win again in 2010. However don’t sleep on Cincy—this matchup at Paycor Stadium might be a nail-biter.
Throwback to ’72? The final time the Pats opened the season in Cincinnati was a protracted 52 years in the past, in 1972. That sport? Let’s simply say it didn’t go too properly for New England. The Bengals crushed them, 31-7. Since then, issues have been a bit extra favorable for the Pats. Robert Kraft’s first victory as crew proprietor got here in opposition to these identical Bengals in 1994, with an exhilarating 31-28 win on the previous Riverfront Stadium.
Pats Lead the Sequence Traditionally, New England’s bought the higher hand, main the all-time collection 17-10. They’ve received seven of the final ten matchups. Final December, although, the Bengals managed a 22-18 squeaker at Gillette Stadium—Cincy’s first win there in 5 tries.
Run Recreation Struggles Loom If the Patriots wish to stroll away with a W, they’ll want to repair their struggling run sport. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson have proven flashes however couldn’t constantly break by means of defenses in preseason. Bengals defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill are able to plug any gaps.
Brissett Underneath Strain Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett is again for his second stint with the crew, however going through Cincinnati’s lethal move rush duo—Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard—isn’t any cakewalk. Add in New England’s injury-riddled offensive line, and Brissett might want to get the ball out fast if he needs to keep away from spending opening day on the turf.
Burrow’s Prepared, Chase Isn’t On the opposite aspect, Bengals QB Joe Burrow is lastly wholesome heading into Week 1. He’s dodged the damage bug that’s plagued him the final three seasons, however star wideout Ja’Marr Chase won’t be suiting up as a consequence of contract points. If Chase doesn’t play, the Patriots protection will nonetheless have their palms full with Tee Higgins and rookie Andrei Iosivas.
Opening Day Woes The Pats haven’t received a season opener since 2020, and this 12 months they’ve bought 28 new faces on the roster. With Jerod Mayo making his head teaching debut, and Brissett underneath middle, the Pats wish to shake up their current unhealthy luck and begin the season with a bang.
Will New England pull off an upset in Cincy, or will Burrow and Co. add one other “L” to the Pats’ opening day column? Buckle up—this one’s going to be a wild journey.
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