3 keys to Patriots’ Week 16 matchup with red-hot Bengals

The Patriots will have their hands full with the red-hot Bengals. Here are the keys to Saturday’s game.

The New England Patriots (7-7) host the Cincinnati Bengals (10-4), who are red-hot after winning their last 6 games.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals look poised to make another deep playoff run and showcase one of the most prolific NFL offenses the Patriots may face all season.

If New England wants a shot at the postseason this year, what better way to do so than by going through a gauntlet of teams likely to be battling it out deep in the playoffs. The Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills all offer different challenges for the Patriots, but the Bengals are what’s in front this week.

If the Patriots wish to beat Cincinnati, a few things need to happen. Let’s get into what those keys to the game are.