Burrow AFC North-leading Bengals visit struggling Patriots | Entradas de portal | Foro

FOXBOROUGH, Ma s. (AP) It was 2020, the NFL draft was looming, and the world was on the brink of going into hibernation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.btredsoxshop.com/boston-red-sox/j-d-martinez-jersey Joe Burrow was in Miami walking out of a steakhouse with then-Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia following a pre-draft dinner. He glanced up and saw someone else he recognized: Patriots coach Bill Belichick.I just went up and introduced myself, Burrow recalled this week.Was there any nervousne s about meeting one of the NFLs most revered coaches?I didnt really think about it, Burrow said. I figured he knew who I was. I just went up and introduced myself. Nothing crazy.Two years later, the pair will meet under much different circumstances. Burrow and the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to close in on their second straight AFC North title when they visit a Patriots team that seems far removed from its most recent Super Bowl win, which came after the 2018 season.Cincinnati (10-4) enters Saturday's game on a six-game win streak and holding a one-game division lead over Baltimore. New England (7-7) has lost three of its last four games and entered the week one game outside the final AFC playoff spot.The Bengals are https://www.btredsoxshop.com/boston-red-sox/jimmie-foxx-jersey also still competing for the conferences top seed and a first-round playoff bye. But coach Zac Taylor said his team is focused on winning the AFC North and letting everything else take care of itself.The first step is always just getting the division and then if you can do that it allows you to see a bigger picture, he said.The Patriots have won three straight meetings with the Bengals and eight of the last 10. But a victory Saturday would be just the first hurdle for New England to clear if it wants to avoid mi sing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.You want to make the playoffs, youve got to beat three playoff teams, Patriots safety Devin McCourty said.Beating Cincinnati wont just require blocking out any mental hangover from last weeks against Las Vegas.With New Englands offense continuing to struggle to score touchdowns with second-year quarterback Mac Jones under center, it will also take a big performance from a defense https://www.btredsoxshop.com/boston-red-sox/david-price-jersey that has five touchdowns, tied with Arizona for the most in the league.Were back to work. Thats what the NFL is, Patriots linebacker Matt Judon said.. Youre going to have some heartbreaking games. … Its always next week until it aint.BOUNCING BACKReceiver Jakobi Meyers took responsibility for his mistake in the closing seconds of the Patriots lo s to the Raiders last week when his lateral attempt to Mac Jones was grabbed by Chandler Jones, who ran for the winning touchdown.Jones said Meyers hasnt showed any signs the mishap has stayed with him this week. Thats what football is all about," Jones said. "Sometimes when things dont go your way, you just have to bounce back. I definitely look at him as a great leader on our team. So hes setting a great example. Now were just getting ready for this big week. Hes done a good job.Meyers is New Englands top-performing receiver with 640 yards and three touchdowns this season.EARLY ARRIVALThe Bengals didnt take any chances with the snowstorm forecasted to hit Ohio and surrounding states.Though they kept all their physical practices in Cincinnati, the team arrived in New England on Thursday.I think this https://www.btredsoxshop.com/boston-red-sox/blake-swihart-jersey team has always done a good job of adjusting when need be, Taylor said. This is an unusual week anyway, six-day week. Weve done it earlier this year for the Carolina game. Our guys responded well to it, I think its just one more adjustment they will have to make.DEPLETED DEFENSEThe Bengals will be without at least one of their two premier pa s rushers. Defensive end Sam Hubbard was ruled out with a calf injury he suffered during last weeks win over Tampa Bay. He was seen after the Buccaneers game wearing a walking boot on his left ankle and may mi s a https://www.btredsoxshop.com/boston-red-sox/david-ortiz-jersey couple of weeks. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (wrist) was unavailable against Tampa Bay and began this week limited.Cornerback depth has also taken a hit because of injuries. The Bengals' best cornerback, Chidobe Awuzie, tore his ACL earlier in the season. Mike Hilton (knee) and Jalen Davis (thumb) were out last week. Rookie Cam Taylor-Britt, who started at cornerback against Tampa Bay, had to leave the game with a shoulder injury.___AP freelancer Laurel Pfahler contributed to this report.___AP NFL: hub/nfl and AP_NFL in this topic