The Bengals defense ripped off safety Geno Stone's pick-six and held NFL passing leader Drake Maye's offense to three field goals in the second half, but the Patriots defense held the Cincinnati pass offense to fewer than 200 passing yards in New England's 26-20 victory Sunday at Paycor Stadium that ended with the Bengals on the Pats 26.
One play after Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco left the field with what looked to be a dislocated finger, he returned to float a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley with 4:40 left as the Bengals cut the lead to 23-20.
Then Maye, who finished 22 of 35 for 294 yards, converted a third-and-10 to wide receiver Stefon Diggs to set up a 52-yard field goal with 1:51 left that made it 26-20.
Flacco (19 of 37 for 183 yards), went into that last drive without a timeout and their top two weapons: All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, serving a one-game suspension, and wide receiver Tee Higgins, who left the drive before with a concussion.
Flacco converted a fourth-and-seven on a remarkable catch by Tinsley, but the Pats held.