What to Watch For: Bengals vs. Patriots
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
What to Watch For: Bengals vs. Patriots
"It will be a great game. They're a very good team we're playing, so I think the crowd will be into it, and I'm sure we'll be ready to go, too," said Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady in his mid week press conference.
The Bengals come in having lost three of their last four games and already find themselves in a hole in the AFC North division with the Steelers sitting at 4-1 overall.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Bengals have not won a game in Foxboro since 1986, when they beat the Patriots 31-7.
See What to Watch For in the Slideshow Below.
5 Things to Watch For: Bengals vs. Patriots
Gostkowski
Kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, has missed three field goals already this season and five field goals going back to the playoffs last season.
The Patriots signed Gostkowski to a four year deal prior to the 2015 season.
Gronk & Bennett
Last week, really for the first time this season, we saw the Patriots newest version of the two tight end set with both Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett going at full speed.
Gronkowski had five catches for 109 yards, while Bennett pulled in six catches for 67 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bengals secondary is led by Adam "Pacman" Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick, who each have an interception this year.
However, the Cincinnati defense gives up 225 yards and 22 points per game.
It could be another big game for Gronkowski and Bennett.
Patriots Secondary
This is a measuring stick matchup for the Patriots secondary as they go up against pro bowl receiver, A.J. Green, former Patriot, Brandon LaFell, and tight end, C.J. Uzomah.
But really it's about A.J. Green.
"Green's very good at intermediate routes, comebacks, in-cuts, curls, routes like that. He has great quickness at the top of his route and excellent hands so he's able to extend and create separation with his length and his catching skills," said Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick.
Green has 36 catches for 518 yards and two touchdowns on the season and averages 14.4 yards per reception.
One player is not going to be able to cover Green, expect the Patriots to show him a lot of different looks.
Old friend, Brandon LaFell, has rebounded from an under whelming 2015 season with New England. This season, LaFell has hauled in 21 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns.
Uzomah, who is seeing increased action due to the injury to tight end, Tyler Eifert, has pulled in 16 catches for 187 yards.
Offensive Line
The Bengals have not been able to get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks so far this year, but there are three players that Nate Solder and Patriots offensive line is going to have to be aware of.
Defensive end Carlos Dunlap leads the Bengals with four sacks on the season and also has two forced fumbles. He will see a lot of Nate Solder and rookie Joe Thuney in this game.
The two other players to watch on the Bengals front seven is Geno Atkins and Will Clarke. Clarke is second on the team in sacks with three on the season while Atkins is third with 2.5.
Atkins takes up a lot of space in the middle of that defensive line and will have an effect on the Patriots running attack.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady will play his first home game since returning from suspension.
"It's always pretty fun to be out there. We've got a great crowd and hopefully we give them lots of reasons to cheer. We've always had such great support here. It's just a great place to play, so hopefully, we can make enough plays and keep them loud all game," said Tom Brady in his weekly press conference.
Last week against Cleveland, Brady went 28 of 40 for 406 yards with three touchdown passes.
