4 things to know about Patriots-Bengals heading into Week 1

The New England Patriots are hitting the road this weekend to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon for a Week 1 battle.

This will be the first game for New England under head coach Jerod Mayo after the team moved on from Bill Belichick this offseason after 24 seasons.

The Patriots aren't expected to be one of the league's best in 2024 after finishing with a 4-13 record last year while the Bengals, who finished 9-8 in 2023 without Joe Burrow for a good portion of the season, should be competing for a chance at Lombardi Trophy.

Before the two teams hit the field at Paycor Stadium, here are a few things to know heading into the matchup:

Rankings

Points scored per game (2023)

• New England: 13.9 (tied for 31st)
• Cincinnati: 21.5 (16th)

Points allowed per game (2023)

• New England: 21.5 (14th)
• Cincinnati: 20.6 (tied for 20th)

Yards gained per game (2023)

• New England: 276.2 (30th)
• Cincinnati: 318.9 (23rd)

Yards allowed per game (2023)

• New England: 301.6 (6th)
• Cincinnati: 374.6 (31st)

History

The Patriots and Bengals have met 27 times all time, and New England is 17-10 all-time. The series is tied 7-7 in Cincinnati.

They last met in 2022 when the Bengals beat the Patriots 22-18 at Gillette Stadium. Cornerback Marcus Jones had a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter, and Mac Jones hit Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne for fourth-quarter touchdowns, but the comeback effort fell short.

Injury concerns

New England's offensive line is already banged up with starting left guard Cole Strange on reserve/PUP, replacement left guard Sidy Sow missing practice with an ankle injury and starting left tackle Vederian Lowe being limited with an oblique.

Running back Antonio Gibson (hip) and linebacker Joshua Uche (foot) have also been limited.

For Cincinnati, the trio of wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring), defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (thumb) and offensive tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) have been limited.

Connections

• Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt served as the Bengals quarterbacks coach from 2018-19.
• Patriots tight ends coach Bob Bicknell served as the Bengals wide receivers coach from 2018-20.
• Patriots offensive lineman Michael Jordan played for the Bengals from 2019-20.
• Patriots tight end Mitchell Wilcox played for the Bengals from 2020-23.
• Bengals defensive line coach Marion Hobby played for the Patriots from 1990-92.
• Bengals center Ted Karras played for the Patriots from 2016-19.
• Bengals offensive tackle Trent Brown played for the Patriots in 2018 and 2021-23.
• Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki played for the Patriots in 2023.

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