The New England Patriots delivered a defensive masterclass against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, turning a tightly contested AFC matchup into a showcase of opportunistic playmaking and resilience. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, it was the Patriots’ defense—and a timely spark from rookie quarterback Drake Maye—that ultimately tipped the scales in a game packed with momentum swings and highlight-reel moments.
Defensive Fireworks Light Up Paycor Stadium
The game’s defining sequence came in the second quarter, when Patriots cornerback
Marcus Jones electrified the crowd with a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown. The play not only swung the lead in New England’s favor but also echoed a similar pick-six from the Bengals earlier in the contest, creating a rare back-and-forth defensive duel.
Jones’ pick-six was a near mirror image of Stephon Gilmore’s iconic play against the Bengals back in 2019, a fact not lost on Patriots fans and NFL commentators alike. Social media buzzed as Jones undercut a checkdown route, snatching the ball and sprinting untouched to the end zone—his second pick-six of the season.
Maye and Flacco: Rookie vs. Veteran
On the offensive side, rookie quarterback
Drake Maye continued to show poise under pressure. Maye connected with tight end Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown in the second quarter, capping a 70-yard drive that showcased his growing chemistry with the Patriots’ receiving corps. Despite an interception earlier in the game, Maye finished the first half with a touchdown and kept the Patriots’ offense moving efficiently.
For the Bengals, veteran quarterback
Joe Flacco struggled to find rhythm against a relentless Patriots pass rush. Flacco threw a costly interception that led to Jones’ pick-six and was unable to consistently move the chains, finishing the half with just 63 passing yards and one interception.
Key Stats and Turning Points
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Total Yards: Patriots 165, Bengals 118 (halftime)
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Turnovers: Both teams with 1 each, but the Patriots capitalized with a defensive touchdown
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First Downs: 8 apiece, highlighting the defensive struggle
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Possession: Bengals edged out the Patriots in time of possession, but New England made their drives count
The Patriots’ ability to convert turnovers into points proved decisive, as did their discipline—committing just one penalty for five yards in the first half.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Both teams entered the game with notable absences. The Bengals were without star pass rusher
Trey Hendrickson, who was ruled out prior to kickoff due to injury concerns. The Patriots, meanwhile, welcomed back several starters, bolstering their lineup for this crucial Week 12 clash.
What This Means for the Playoff Race
With this win, the Patriots improve to 9-2, maintaining their grip on the AFC playoff picture and setting themselves up for a potential franchise record for consecutive wins outside the Belichick-Brady era. The Bengals, now 3-7, face an uphill battle to stay relevant in the postseason hunt, with questions swirling about their offensive consistency and roster depth.
Expert Takeaways
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Patriots’ defense is emerging as one of the league’s most opportunistic units, capable of flipping games with big plays.
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Drake Maye continues to develop, showing flashes of franchise-quarterback potential even as he navigates rookie growing pains.
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Bengals’ struggles on offense and key injuries are threatening to derail their season, raising tough questions for the front office and coaching staff.
As the AFC playoff race heats up, the Patriots look like a team no one wants to face—especially if their defense keeps scoring points of its own.
Sources
1. Patriots vs. Bengals (Nov 23, 2025) Live Score - ESPN
2. The Bengals front office allowed a Super Bowl-caliber team to crumble
3. Six Bengals Inactive For Week 12 Against Patriots
4. New England Patriots - Bleacher Report
5. Déjà vu alert! Second pick-six TD of Pats-Bengals is a Marcus Jones ...
6. Cincinnati Bengals News | Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals.com
7. Trey Hendrickson not expected to play for Bengals vs. Patriots
8. Patriots vs. Bengals Friday injury report: 2 starters questionable
9. Bengals Patriots Game Center | Cincinnati Bengals - bengals.com
10. NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League
11. NFL News, Scores, Stats, Standings and Rumors - CBS Sports
12. Patriots Avoided Disaster With Publicized Offseason Whiffs - NESN
