NFL Week 5 Preview and Predictions: Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football [Poll]
The 2014 National Football League season is already a quarter of the way complete.
This week, football fans get to watch the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals play each other on Sunday Night Football. The last time we saw these two teams collide, the Bengals were victorious 13-6, in Cincinnati in a rainy game at Paul Brown Stadium. That game was played last season in week 5, also. This game won't be played in Cincinnati, but the Bengals are favorites on Sunday night.
New England Patriots (2-2)
The Patriots find themselves even at 2-2 after wins over the Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins. This will be the second consecutive week the Patriots are on prime time; last week they traveled to Kansas City but were embarrassed against the Chiefs, losing 41-14.
The offense hasn't been able to find its flow whatsoever. Quarterback Tom Brady has a 79.1 passer rating, and his offensive line is struggling every game so far. Trading away Logan Mankins hasn't paid off for this team. Wide receivers Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins aren't even getting on the field anymore. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski are the only reliable targets on offense, but neither have deep threat abilities.
The Patriots rush defense has been bad, but the pass defense has stepped up. Once suspended cornerback Brandon Browner may play against the Bengals, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Darrelle Revis will have his hands full with A.J. Green, who is widely regarded as one of the receivers in today's game.
Despite having a suspect defense, the Patriots do have a good linebacker core with Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower leading the way.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-0)
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of just two undefeated teams remaining in the NFL; the other is the Arizona Cardinals. The Bengals are coming off a bye week after beating the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans. This franchise has the NFL's longest postseason drought, having not won a single playoff game since 1990.
Andy Dalton hasn't been asked to do very much so far this season throwing just two touchdowns and one interception, but he's managing the game and not making mistakes. Running back Giovani Bernard leads the Bengals in rushing with 185 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. To no one's surprise, Green is the leading receiver with 233 yards through the air.
The Bengals have had the most impressive offensive line in the league so far, not allowing a single sack. The Bengals secondary has also been very impressive with six interceptions. Former BCS National Champion Carlos Dunlap leads the Bengals in sacks with three. Dunlap could be a big issue for the Patriots offensive line come Sunday night.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Bengals and Patriots will play one another at Gillete Stadium on Sunday night in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 8:30 p.m. EST on NBC.
Prediction
The Patriots are the home team and much in need of a win, but there's just too many holes to fill. The Bengals offensive line has been perfect this season, and the Patriots defensive line hasn't shown they can stop the run. The wide receivers for Patriots are also struggling to get open down-field.
Bengals win 27-17
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