CIN at NE: 3 things you need to know
The New England Patriots are looking to put a humiliating 41-14 loss on Monday to the Kansas City Chiefs behind them when they face off against the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati is the lone unbeaten team in the AFC, and will be well rested coming off a bye week. While it is only Week 5, Sunday's game could be a preview of the AFC Championship Game.
Here's what you need to know:
How will the Patriots get to Andy Dalton?
Cincinnati's offensive line has been outstanding through the first month of the season and have yet to allow a sack. This is a remarkable achievement, as every other team has allowed at least three sacks. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth is perpetually underrated, while right guard Kevin Zeitler and right tackle Andre Smith are playing at an elite level.
New England's pass rush looked great through one quarter Monday night, and Chandler Jones was a wrecking ball. However, the Patriots' pass rush has yet to be a consistent force and Jones alone can't stifle the Bengals' top-rated offensive line. Dont'a Hightower may be used in blitz packages coming from the weakside. The Patriots have allowed the least passing yards per game, and Dalton is averse to making downfield plays when the pressure's on.
Dalton has been afforded plenty of time to go through his progressions in the Bengals' first four games. Simply put, the Patriots have to pressure Dalton or run the risk of falling to 2-3.
Will the Patriots diversify their offense?
For the first time in years, the Patriots' offense has begun to look stagnant. Tom Brady looks rattled beyond an anemic offensive line and is forcing far too many of his throws. To beat a Bengals' passing defense that ranks second in the league, the Patriots will have to add some new dimensions to their passing game.
Julian Edelman has accounted for 33 percent of the Patriots' receiving yards and Brady has relied on him to a fault. Running back Stevan Ridley has been serviceable, and though Shane Vereen has averaged 4.4 yards per carry he hasn't been featured heavily in the offense. New England may have success with a more balanced offensive game plan.
The A.J. Green effect
A.J. Green is what makes the Bengals' offense tick. The fourth-year pro is one of the league's most dangerous receivers when healthy. In Week 2, Green suffered a toe injury against the Atlanta Falcons, marking the first time in his career that he went without a reception. Green has caught 12 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown.
New England signed cornerback Darrelle Revis in the offseason to lockdown individual receivers, and will have his work cut out for him. Green can physically overpower Alfonzo Dennard and Logan Ryan. The only Patriots' cornerback that is equipped to deal with him other than Revis is Brandon Browner.
Green opens up the offense completely. When he's on the field, the defense has to account for him and he opens opportunities for Mohamed Sanu and Giovani Bernard. Bernard has excelled as a receiver coming out of the backfield, and the Patriots linebackers struggled with Jamaal Charles' speed on Monday night.