New England's Comeback Attempt Falls Short in 22-18 Cincinnati Loss: Live Game Log
The New England Patriots return home on Christmas Eve, looking to bounce back and get in the win column once again against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Of course, the Patriots suffered one of the most improbable losses in recent NFL history last Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, losing on an intercepted lateral attempt which was returned for the game-winning touchdown.
As a result, their already slim playoff chances only got slimmer and now if they want to keep their hopes alive a loss cannot happen against the Bengals. Unfortunately for the Patriots, though, the Bengals have looked like one of the best team in the NFL in recent weeks.
The Bengals offense has no shortage of firepower, with quarterback Joe Burrow leading the way. He has a trio of receivers in Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, as well as running back Joe Mixon, that can torch even the best defenses.
Offensively for the Patriots, quarterback Mac Jones will look to find a rhythm while running back Rhamondre Stevenson aims to replicate his performance from last weekend, but in a win this time.
Stay tuned as we provide live drive-by-drive updates as the Patriots host the Bengals from Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Live updates will be available shortly after kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER: Patriots 0, Bengals 12
The Patriots will start the game on defense.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 22.
Burrow comes out of the gate firing, finding Wilcox for 8 yards followed by a 39-yard strike to Higgins down the sideline into New England territory.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS: Burrow connects with Higgins for the 9-yard touchdown. McPherson's extra point attempt is no good, Bengals lead 6-0 with 12:24 left in the first quarter. The drive went 78 yards on 5 plays, taking 2:36 off the clock.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 25.
Nothing going for the Patriots on their first drive as the Bengals defense forces a punt after a three and out.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 41.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS: Burrow connects with Irwin for a 23-yard touchdown. McPherson's extra point attempt is no good, but New England is called for unnecessary roughness.
Their subsequent two-point attempt is no good, Bengals lead 12-0 with 5:16 left in the first quarter. The drive went 59 yards on 9 plays, taking 5:19 off the clock.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 30.
Another drive and another three and out for the Patriots as they are forced to punt once again.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 49.
On 3rd and 4 Burrow connects with Irwin for 17 yards, with 15 yards tacked on due to a roughing the passer penalty to move Cincinnati into the red zone.
Burrow connects with Chase on 3rd and 17 for a gain of 18 yards to move inside the 5-yard line.
SECOND QUARTER: Patriots 0 Bengals 22
FIELD GOAL BENGALS: McPherson drills the 28-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 15-0 lead with 14:51 left in the second quarter. The drive went 41 yards on 10 plays, taking 3:58 off the clock.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 19.
Jones connects with Smith for a gain of 9 yards, followed by a 3-yard run from Harris as the Patriots finally get a first down.
That will be all, though, as the Patriots cannot pick up another first down and are forced to punt.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 24.
On 4th and 1 the Bengals keep the offense on the field and Burrow keeps it himself for 1 yard and a first down.
INTERCEPTION PATRIOTS: Burrow's pass intended for Boyd is intercepted by McCourty.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 15.
Bourne gets a carry and picks up 29 yards, as the Patriots look for signs of life on offense.
Once again, though, the Patriots can't take advantage of the first down and are forced to punt the ball away.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 20.
On 3rd and 1 Burrow finds Wilcox for 10 yards, with a facemask penalty tacking on an extra 15 yards fo the Bengals.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS: Burrow finds Irwin for the 4-yard touchdown. McPherson's extra point attempt is good to extend the Bengals' lead to 22-0 with :14 left in the second quarter. The drive went 80 yards on 12 plays, taking 2:02 off the clock.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 25, and ultimately take a knee to end the half.
THIRD QUARTER: Patriots 7, Bengals 22
Patriots receive the opening kick and will start their drive at their own 24.
Despite getting a first down on a pass interference penalty the Patriots offense remains lethargic and is forced to punt once again.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 20.
Mixon keeps the Bengals offense rolling, picking up 19 yards on his first carry of the half.
The Bengals get across midfield but the Patriots defense gets the stop to force a punt.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 12.
New England can't overcome a sack on first down and once again, they punt after going three and out.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 45.
Burrow stays red hot, finding Chase for a 15-yard gain on 2nd and 11 to move into New England territory.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS: Burrow's second interception is returned 69 yards for the touchdown. Folk's extra point attempt is no good, Bengals lead 22-6 with 3:51 left in the third quarter.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 40.
Once more the Patriots defense gets the Bengals off the field, forcing a punt after a three and out.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 23.
Jones connects with Meyers on 2nd and 7 for a gain of 11 yards as the offense looks to get going on this drive.
On 3rd and 7 Jones finds Bourne this time for 19 yards, as they enter Cincinnati territory for the first time.
FOURTH QUARTER: Patriots 18, Bengals 22
Jones and Bourne again connect on 3rd down as Jones finds him on 3rd and 10 on a deep strike down the middle for 32 yards.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS: Jones to Bourne for the 8-yard touchdown pass. The two-point attempt is no good, Patriots trail 22-12 with 12:58 left in the fourth quarter. The drive went 77 yards on 11 plays, taking 4:53 off the clock.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 27.
Burrow starts the drive with a strike to Higgins for 31 yards to move the ball into New England territory.
McPherson's 43-yard field goal sails wide left and the Patriots defense gets off of the field.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 25.
Jones connects with Bourne once again down the sideline for a gain of 28 yards deep into Cincinnati territory.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS: Jones' pass is tipped and caught by Meyers for the 48-yard touchdown. Folk's extra point attempt is no good, Patriots trail 22-18 with 6:02 left in the fourth quarter. The drive went 67 yards on 7 plays, 3:04 off the clock.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 25.
FUMBLE RECOVERY PATRIOTS: The Patriots defense forces a Chase fumble which they jump on.
The Patriots will start their drive at the Cincinnati 44.
BENGALS FUMBLE RECOVERY: Stevenson coughs up the ball inside the 5-yard line and the Bengals jump on the ball.
The Bengals will start their drive at their own 23.
The Patriots defense forces the three and out, giving the ball back to their offense one last time.
The Patriots will start their drive at their own 24.
Jones starts the drive finding Bourne once again for a gain of 15 yards as they near midfield.
On 4th and 10 Jones evades pressure and goes deep to Thornton, but the pass falls incomplete for a turnover on downs.
The Bengals will start their drive at the New England 34, and will kneel this one out.
END OF GAME
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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