FOXBOROUGH – When the week began, it looked like the Patriots would head to Cincinnati and play against backup quarterback Joe Flacco.
Over the last 48 hours, however, it appears that the Patriots defense might actually play against Joe Burrow. After missing the last nine games due to a turf toe injury, the Pro Bowl quarterback has been a full practice participant for the Bengals this week.
When it comes to the Patriots preparation, defensive players said they’ve prepared to face either quarterback on Sunday. For some, it doesn’t matter which quarterback they face.
“I mean, if (Burrow) plays, he plays. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t,” cornerback Christian Gonzalez said. “He’s a great quarterback, but Flacco’s a great quarterback. It’s not like it’s night and day between the differences of them. Like one really good quarterback coming in vs. not. They’re both elite quarterbacks.”
Burrow entered this season coming off one of the best years of his NFL career. Last season, the quarterback led the NFL in passing yards (4,918 yards) and passing touchdowns (43). Cincinnati was 2-0 to start the season with Burrow as the starter.
After the toe injury, the Bengals went 0-3 with Jake Browning as the starter before trading for Flacco. The 40-year-old went 1-4 as a starter with the Bengals this season, throwing 1,453 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Asked the biggest difference between the two, Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins said, “age.”
“One is older than the other. Joe has a very unique game, but Flacco has his own unique game,” Hawkins said. “Flacco’s been around it for a long time, so he has a lot of experience. Joe plays at a high level. They both have different parts of their games that make them great and unique. That’s the difference.”
The uncertainty over who’s going to play has added a little more preparation to the Patriots staff. Patriots pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson said he spent time this week watching games from both Burrow and Flacco.
“You definitely have an open ear for both of them. You’ve got to prepare for both,” Chaisson said. “Two different styles of quarterback. Both are still very good, very high IQ, and know where they want to go with the ball before the ball is snapped. One guy is a bit different than the other. You’ve got to have two game plans. Whatever the scenario calls, just be ready for it.”
In the end, Patriots defensive players said it’s important to remember what’s important – they’re preparing to play against Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher’s scheme. Whether it’s Burrow or Flacco, that hasn’t changed in Cincinnati.
“Whether (Burrow) plays or not, it’s the offensive coordinator,’ cornerback Carlton Davis said. “We watch film for the whole season. We don’t go off who’s playing; it’s what they do, whether Joe Burrow plays or Joe Flacco plays. They’ve got to run the same plays. They can’t just change the whole playbook.”
The Patriots defense heads into this matchup ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 18.7 points per game. They’re No. 1 against the run and No. 17 against the pass. Although players noted they’re not sure who will start under center for the Bengals, they’re focused on playing to their strengths as a defense.
“We don’t know,” Hawkins said. “We can’t have one focus set on one or the other because we don’t know. We’ve got to control what we can, study both as equals and come out ready to do what we do.”
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