New England Patriots: Four Players To Watch Against Cincinnati Bengals

Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Darrelle Revis/Brandon Browner

The number one key to getting this talented Patriots’ defense back on track is by letting them play aggressive. And that starts with the cornerbacks on the outside. New England needs to let Darrelle Revis match up 1-on-1 with A.J. Green, and trust he can take care of business. That is why they brought him in. As great as Richard Sherman is, he is no Darrelle Revis when it comes to man coverage, which is where Revis is at his absolute best.

Along that same note, Brandon Browner is now eligible to return, which will allow Bill Belichick to be even more aggressive, given that is Browner’s forte. With Revis on lockdown on one side, and Browner abusing whoever goes to the other side, I think this defense could easily handle Cincinnati’s offense.

However if the Patriots come out in the same schemes as they have been in the last four games, the Bengals will have success moving the ball. When they play soft, there is plenty of room for Andy Dalton to operate over the middle, and it makes the Pats’ linebackers play a lot of zone coverage, which is not their best attribute.

Play aggressive. Dominate.