Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Bengals in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Stephon Gilmore wins the game, might get DPOY: With the offense sputtering again and the Patriots going through the motions against a 1-12 team, New England was in need of a spark to make this game a laugher. Enter No. 24. On the third play of the second half in a 13-10 game, Gilmore made a one-handed interception of Andy Dalton. The offense cashed in to make it 20-10. On the next possession, Gilmore read Dalton's out, jumped it and took it to the house. In a matter of minutes, the game went from a dogfight to a blowout ... all thanks to Stephon Gilmore, who has had that kind of impact all season. That's why he should seriously be in the running for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Julian Edelman guts it out but doesn't make an impact: As we now know, Edelman is dealing with a knee injury that could develop into something serious. At least in this game, he was about 25 percent and could barely cut and move around. That resulted in two catches for 9 yards on five targets before his playing time seemed to be cut, mercifully, in the second half. You have to really question the wisdom of even playing Edelman in this game. If he should get further injured, it could torpedo the season.
N'Keal Harry makes plays, but offense still disjointed: The biggest development for the offense was that first-round pick N'Keal Harry showed he can be a real weapon with four touches for 37 yards, including a nice TD where he kept the play alive and had a nice connection with Tom Brady. That's not much output, but it was a step in the right direction. That being said, outside some nice runs and screens, the offense was largely the same with Brady completing less than 55 percent of his passes and a rating below 100 yet again.
Hopefully Harry didn't hurt his hamstring again (end of the play).
Great hustle by N'Keal Harry here, got up kinda slow after though. pic.twitter.com/D5Hsn4ajSf
— Decaf Metcalf ☕ (@FTBeard11) December 15, 2019
TURNING POINT
Gilmore's second interception for the touchdown. The Bengals had a chance down 10, but a 17-point deficit made this game over.
2 + 4 = 6. @BumpNrunGilm0re PICK SIX. pic.twitter.com/GDYGBQf7ih
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 15, 2019
SECOND GUESS
Playing Edelman at all, and then not pulling him earlier. The Patriots aren't going anywhere without Edelman and to risk a serious injury like that ... leaves a lot of questions. The Patriots need Edelman in January, not against Cincinnati.
THREE UP
Stephon Gilmore: Through about the midpoint of the season, I was on the Kyle Van Noy defensive MVP train. But while he's fallen off a little, Gilmore has been huge during the most important stretch of the season. He should be a legit Defensive Play of the Year finalist.
Joe Thuney: The offense's best and most consistent player all season had two outstanding blocks on the touchdowns by James White and N'Keal Harry.
Follow the blockers.@SweetFeet_White finds the end zone. pic.twitter.com/KnTO3U1Kr1
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 15, 2019
Brady finds Harry in the back of the end zone. @NkealHarry15 | @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/U3Nen3o9EV
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 15, 2019
THREE DOWN
Matt LaCosse: Had an awful time blocking — he tackled a Patriots RB at one point — and added three catches on 22 yards.
Marcus Cannon: Had a really rough first half and he's becoming more and more of a concern. Can't move as well, gets overpowered at times.
Tom Brady: Completed just 15 of 29 passes for 128 yards. This was the first time that I thought his elbow injury is real. He missed a lot of throws, including a sure TD to Michel that was just flat-out too low and a TD to Sanu up the seam that was just flat-out too high.
INJURIES
Shaq Mason (ankle): Left the game and did not return.
Jonathan Jones (groin): Left the game and did not return. That would explain why he was struggling so much today, especially on the Bengals' touchdown.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The Patriots have to seriously consider shutting Julian Edelman down for the regular season: He wasn't even close to himself today and every cut he makes, he risks being lost for the season. The Patriots can't afford that. New England got Mohamed Sanu and he plays the slot. Put him there and put Edelman on ice.
Don't be fooled by this game: The biggest problem-areas on this team, the passing offense and rushing defense, were still fully on display for large portions of this game ... it's just they were playing the Bengals and got away with it. The passing game was a little better at times but the offense sputtered big time. After Josh McDaniels' great script on the opening drive (again), the Patriots didn't have a drive longer than 45 yards and seven produced 25 yards or less. And the rushing defense allowed a bad offensive line to average 5.1 yards per attempt. Only having Andy Dalton playing QB (and Gilmore) kept the rush defense from getting further exposed.