Patriots might already have first-round playoff matchup set in stone

The New England Patriots defied the odds in 2021, as they managed to lock up a postseason spot after going 7-9 in 2020 and starting a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones. With a spot in the postseason already clinched, their Week 18 matchup with Miami will be used to help figure out what their first-round matchup may be.

The Patriots could win the AFC East and get a home playoff game, but that would require Josh Allen and the Bills losing to the moribund Jets. In all likelihood, New England will be in an unfamiliar spot as a road Wild Card team.

Of all of the potential matchups for the Patriots, one opponent that’d make for a thrilling afternoon of football would be the Cincinnati Bengals given how explosive their offense can be. With so many big names sitting out for Cincy in Week 18, a Bengals-Patriots playoff game is closer to becoming reality.

With Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon both inactive for the Bengals’ game against the Browns in Week 18, it looks like they might end up facing the Patriots in the postseason. Assuming New England and the Bills take care of business against the Dolphins and Jets, respectively, New England will be “on to Cincinnati” once again if the Bengals lose to the Browns.

The New England Patriots may take on the Bengals.

Though Baker Mayfield is out for the Browns, you’d have to assume there will be a limited workload for a number of other Bengals starters since they can’t improve their playoff positioning.

This would be a very interesting stylistic contrast. While Jones and the Patriots have been leaning on a strong defense and the 1-2 punch of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield, the Bengals have one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.

In addition to Burrow’s arm and Ja’Marr Chase’s big-play potential, Mixon has been one of the best running backs in the game. The weapons Cincinnati has are impressive, but Belichick’s mighty defense can be tough on both young quarterbacks and those who have not seen it before.

New England has one of the best secondaries in the league between JC Jackson and Devin McCourty. However, between Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals have three receivers that are all capable of going over 100 yards on any given day.

Assuming that the expected Week 18 results come to fruition, expect to see Jones and the Patriots marching down to southern Ohio to take on a Bengals team that’s positioned for long-term success.

This game would be a true toss-up, as the stark differences in how these two teams operate will be fun to watch.

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