Michael Hull

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. The Bengals return home to host the New England Patriots in Week 12.

2024

The Patriots finished last in the AFC East in 2024, going 4-13 and firing head coach Jerod Mayo after one season.

New England scored 17.0 points per game, ranking 30th in the league, and ranked 31st with 291.9 yards per game. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye started 12 games and was a Pro Bowl alternate. The third overall pick from North Carolina completed 66.6% of his passes, tossed 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and rushed for 421 yards and two touchdowns as well. On the ground, RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson combined for over 1,300 yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

The Patriots allowed the 11th-most points per game on defense, giving up 24.5 points per contest, and ranked last in the league with 28 sacks.

Offseason Changes

After firing Mayo, New England hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel as its next head coach. The Patriots brought in a myriad of players in free agency on both sides of the ball. On defense, they signed Eagles DT Milton Williams, Lions CB Carlton Davis, Raiders LB Robert Spillane and Titans LB Harold Landry III.

They also added some playmakers for Maye on offense, signing WRs Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins and TE Austin Hooper. After allowing 52 sacks last season, New England brought in C Garrett Bradbury and OT Morgan Moses and drafted OT Will Campbell with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Coaching Staff

Vrabel returns to the head coaching ranks after a year with the Cleveland Browns as a consultant. He spent six seasons at the helm in Tennessee, going 54-45 and winning two playoff games. Prior to the Titans, Vrabel spent four years with the Texans as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He started his coaching career at Ohio State after a 14-year career as a player. Drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft, Vrabel won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was named an All-Pro linebacker in 2007.

Josh McDaniels returns to New England as the team's offensive coordinator after spending 13 years with the franchise under Bill Belichick. Coaching QB Tom Brady, McDaniels helped the Patriots establish a dynasty in the 2000s, winning six Super Bowls on staff. He had two head coaching stints with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, both lasting under two seasons.

Terrell Williams reunites with Vrabel as defensive coordinator. Williams was the Titans defensive line coach during Vrabel's tenure and most recently spent a season with the Lions as their defensive line coach and run game coordinator. He has nearly 30 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels.

Series History

The Bengals have played the Patriots 28 times over the teams' histories, going back to when New England was the Boston Patriots in 1968.

What To Watch For

New England's cornerback duo of Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis will match up with Cincinnati'sJaMarr ChaseandTee Higgins. Gonzalez limited the eventual Triple Crown winner Chase to three catches for 14 yards when in coverage in 2024.

Entering his second season, Maye comes up against a new-look Bengals defense under defensive coordinatorAl Golden. Golden led Notre Dame's defense to a National Championship appearance in 2024, allowing just 15.5 points per game.