The Cincinnati Bengals host the New England Patriots on Sunday as part of the NFL’s opening week slate of games. Both teams are coming off a disappointing 2023 season.
The Bengals finished 9-8 thanks to an injury-riddled season for Joe Burrow, and the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record as they grappled with the struggles that came after they moved on from the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era.
Both teams could start a little rusty. Burrow hasn’t thrown a pass in a regular-season game since November of 2023, and Jacoby Brissett, the Patriots starting signal caller, threw less than 30 passes while with the Washington Commanders in last year’s campaign.