Joe Burrow wished to be happier after the Cincinnati Bengals walked off the sphere toting a 22-18 win over the New England Patriots on Saturday.
Burrow threw three landing passes and the Bengals offense had almost 500 yards. However it took the protection forcing a late turnover within the crimson zone to protect the victory.
He additionally is aware of that will not be sufficient for his group to finally accomplish its purpose this season.
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Cincinnati Bengals broad receiver Trenton Irwin (16) celebrates his landing with heart Ted Karras (64) and broad receiver Tee Higgins (85) in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer sport towards the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass.
(AP Photograph/Charles Krupa)
“We bought to do a greater job on offense of placing groups away,” Burrow mentioned. “Groups that wish to win the Tremendous Bowl put them away a bit earlier.”
The Bengals (11-4) gained their seventh straight and remained within the driver’s seat for a second consecutive AFC North title. They clinched a playoff berth by advantage of the New York Jets’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, and nonetheless have an opportunity on the convention’s high seed and a first-round playoff bye.
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Regardless of main 22-0 at halftime, the Bengals nonetheless let this one come all the way down to the wire.
The Patriots had the ball on the Cincinnati 5 with simply over a minute to play when Rhamondre Stevenson was hit by Vonn Bell and fumbled, resulting in Josh Tupou’s restoration. The Bengals punted it again 4 performs later, however the Patriots turned the ball over on downs.
“I used to be attempting to make one thing occur,” Stevenson mentioned. “Most likely doing greater than I used to be alleged to do. Most likely ought to have simply went down however finally, he took the ball from me and I fumbled.”
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 24: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes an attempt a move in the course of the fourth quarter towards the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Photograph by Winslow Townson/Getty Photos)
Stevenson was stopped on the line of scrimmage and pushed backward earlier than fumbling. Referee Craig Wrolstad was requested after the sport by a pool reporter if there was consideration to blowing the play lifeless earlier than the ball got here out.
“With a view to have ahead progress, the runner must be managed by the protection,” Wrolstad mentioned. “He must be held and managed, and principally have his ft taken away. We felt that he nonetheless had his ft. So, we didn’t really feel that he was held and managed by the protection. He was nonetheless free to achieve yardage after which additionally, clearly, there was nonetheless an opportunity that he might fumble.”
Burrow completed 40 of 52 for 375 yards and two interceptions. Trenton Irwin had two landing catches. Tee Higgins had eight catches for 128 yards and a TD.
The Patriots (7-8) entered the week one sport exterior of the ultimate AFC playoff spot. They’ve misplaced 4 of 5.
Mac Jones completed 21 of 33 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. New England had 10 penalties for 82 yards and managed simply 285 whole yards. Nick People additionally missed two additional factors on a day when the game-time temperature was 17 levels and a wind chill of 4.
Cincinnati led 22-18 and was dealing with third down with lower than 4 minutes to play when Ja’Marr Chase caught a brief move from Burrow and was stripped by Matt Judon. The ball was recovered by Marcus Jones on the New England 43.
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A defensive holding penalty on the Bengals and 15-yard completion from Mac Jones to Marcus Jones put the ball on the Cincinnati 31.
The frigid temperature did little to decelerate the Bengals offense early, which scored on every of its first three possessions.
Cincinnati dominated the primary half, compiling extra first downs (22) within the opening half-hour than the Patriots had performs (17). New England managed simply three first downs, 70 whole yards and amassed 44 penalty yards.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 24: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots makes an attempt to sort out Tee Higgins #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the course of the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Photograph by Nick Grace/Getty Photos)
Issues modified within the second half. First an errant move by Burrow was intercepted by Marcus Jones and returned 69 yards for a landing.
The Patriots offense, which was showered with boos at totally different factors within the sport, then pulled inside 22-12 early within the fourth on a 5-yard landing move from Mac Jones to Kendrick Bourne.
The Bengals seemed to be on the verge of responding, however kicker Evan McPherson’s discipline purpose try missed broad left from 43 yards out.
The Patriots had been threatening once more on the Cincinnati 30 when Jones was known as for intentional grounding, organising a third-and-24. It was moved again one other 5 yards following a false begin.
Dealing with third-and-29, Jones averted the Bengals move rush and bought off a move that was deflected on the purpose line and fell into the palms of Jakobi Meyers for a 48-yard TD. People’s additional level was no good, leaving the rating 22-18.
Cincinnati gained at New England for the primary time since 1986.
“We’re going to be pleased with the win as a result of they’re so laborious to come back by, and 7 in a row, our guys have that confidence that we’re enjoying good soccer,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned.
INJURIES
Bengals: OT La’el Collins limped off within the first quarter with a left knee damage and was dominated out.
Patriots: ST Brendan Schooler left within the first quarter with a shoulder damage however was in a position to return. … TE Hunter Henry left within the first quarter with a knee damage and didn’t return. … TE Jonnu Smith was checked out early within the fourth quarter for a head damage. … Judon walked of on his personal energy after being shaken up on a play within the fourth and was in a position to return.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Marcus Jones’ Choose-6 marked the sixth defensive TD of season for New England, tying a franchise file. It was additionally the Patriots’ third straight sport with a defensive rating, which they haven’t completed since 2004.
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