NFL Football
2025-11-23 - New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 12
Sunday 23rd November 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
6pm (British Time)
Preview
The trade for Joe Flacco looked a decent decision for the Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) when they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. They would have been hoping that the veteran could keep them on track, while waiting for Joe Burrow to return, but the Bengals have lost three in a row.
This is a team that has been competitive in those games, but ultimately they needed to get over the line a couple of times.
Joe Burrow has been back in practice, but a decision has been made to not take any risks with the franchise Quarter Back and he has been ruled out for this Week 12 game. The Bengals do play against Divisional rivals Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day, which is a game that Burrow may be targeting, and that is a potential distraction knowing Ja'Marr Chase is also missing this week.
The Bengals are hosting the AFC East leading New England Patriots (9-2) who have been the big surprise package in the 2025 season and who will be looking to extend the lead over the Buffalo Bills.
Right now the Patriots look good to finish with the top Seed in the AFC and they have won eight in a row, while also having had a mini-Bye ahead of this game after beating the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.
Drake Maye has really been growing into the Quarter Back position and he will be encouraged by some of the life being shown by the Offensive Line when it comes to run blocking. The more carries being picked up TreVeyon Henderson, the better the Patriots are becoming, and they can punish this Bengals team on the ground and just make things very comfortable for the Quarter Back.
Injuries on the entire Defensive unit has held the Bengals back and the Secondary have been struggling, which is going to be exposed if the New England Patriots are in third and manageable spots on the field. A confidence has been growing in the chemistry between Drake Maye and his Receivers and the Patriots should be able to keep drives moving with some real consistency.
This is unlikely to be a blowout immediately with the Bengals Offensive Line and Chase Brown showing life in recent outings, while they will have noted some of the issues the Patriots have had in stopping the run. However, the absence of Ja'Marr Chase makes it so much easier to find a game plan to deal with Cincinnati and that could mean focusing on clamping down on the run and asking Quarter Back Joe Flacco to beat them with the Receivers that are available.
Throwing against this Patriots Secondary would have been challenging even with a full complement of Receivers, and Joe Flacco will have to be careful after a back-breaking Interception in what had been a close game against Pittsburgh beforehand.
You cannot dismiss the spread and it being a touch high.
However, the feeling is that the Bengals could be gearing up to give Baltimore all they can handle on Thursday night and that may see them lose a bit of focus for what has been a very good New England team.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite.
The Pick :
Cincinnati Bengals 17-27 New England Patriots
