The New England Patriots’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals was a close affair early on, with both the team’s offense and defense struggling to hit their groove in the first quarter. The tide began to turn in the second period, however, and the world champions’ special teams units once again played their part in it with veterans Matthew Slater and Justin Bethel combining to produce the game’s first turnover — one that led to three Patriots points.
After the offense’s two-minute drill stalled just three plays in, New England sent rookie punter Jake Bailey onto the field to kick the football away.