CINCINNATI – On paper, it wasn’t close

The Cincinnati Bengals entered this week with the worst-ranked defense in the NFL. They were starting veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco. They were also without All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who was serving a 1-game suspension, and their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson.

The Patriots , meanwhile, returned three starters to their lineup – receiver Kayshon Boutte, running back Rhamondre Stevenson, and linebacker Christian Elliss.

Sunday’s matchup in Cincinnati was a good example of why games aren’t played on paper. Mike Vrabel’s team got all it could handle from an injured Bengals team. Drake Maye and the Patriots offense had one of its sloppiest performances since the team’s loss against Pittsburgh in Week 13.

The Patriots had to fi

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