New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Five Key Matchups

Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback

(24) during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

3. A.J. Green vs. Darrelle Revis

I am praying we get the opportunity to see this matchup, as that is the only way this defense is going to succeed. Bill Belichick needs to employ his secondary in aggressive man coverage looks, specifically Revis, especially against an elite player like Green.

Now, I understand the Pats want to limit the deep ball, and against a team like the Bengals, that will be particularly important. Cincinnati has the highest yards per attempt average in the NFL right now, which proves they rely on the explosive play. But Belichick brought in Darrelle Revis for a reason. You have to trust that the second best cover corner in NFL history can handle A.J. Green by himself. Let him play tight man coverage on him all game long, and I promise the results will be excellent.

Plus, New England has the best cover safety in the league patrolling behind Revis in Devin McCourty. If anything gets past him. McCourty’s amazing range allows him to make any play downfield. Brandon Browner will also be back, which gives Belichick another reason to play tight, physical coverage. The combination of Revis and Browner on the outside should be too much for the Bengals’ wideouts to handle.

But only if they play the way they were meant to be played.