With a Joe Burrow return looming in the background, the Cincinnati Bengals lost to the New England Patriots, 26-20.
There, one of the historically worst defenses by DVOA of all-time showed newfound fight and held Drake Maye and the nine-win Patriots in check deep into the second half.
But a Ja’Marr Chase-less, Joe Flacco-led offense struggled to do anything well but run the ball, which struggled to make up for lapses in the passing game.
Here are some quick notes, stats and details from right after the game ended.
Quick thoughts
Key stat
3-of-13: Number of first downs for the Bengals offense on third downs. The game would’ve been a disaster without Chase Brown going for more than 100 yards on the ground.
RELATED: Bengals might adjust playbook for Joe Burrow without ‘full mobility’
Top takeaway
Questions: The Bengals fall to 3-8 and largely out of the race, so the Bengals have to decide if bringing Burrow back on Thursday is the right call.
What’s Next?
The Bengals likely get Joe Burrow back for Thursday night’s Thanksgiving game against the Baltimore Ravens. Little else needs said about that, right?
RELATED: Trey Hendrickson injury could force Bengals DE into offseason surgery
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Instant analysis after Bengals lose to Patriots, fall to 3-8
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
