Quick Hits: Bengals Rally Falls Short in 26-20 Loss To Patriots, Tee Higgins Knocked From Game With Concussion

CINCINNATI — This time, it was the offense that let the Bengals down.

After showing signs of a revival against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the Bengals managed to hold the explosive Drake Maye in check for three quarters. But the Bengals offense was lifeless in what could be Joe Flacco’s final start with the Bengals if Joe Burrow returns on Thursday night in Baltimore.

Flacco finished 19-of-37 for 183 yards, a touchdown and an interception. With the Bengals trailing 23-13 with 4:45 left, Tee Higgins was brought to the ground at the New England 8 hard by Carlton Davis III. Davis was flagged for pass interference and Higgins lay on the turf for several minutes before he helped himself into the front seat and was driven to the locker room.

Two plays later, Flacco hit Mitch Tinsley on a 17-yard corner fade over Christian Gonzalez to make it 23-20 New England. Following a 52-yard field goal by Andy Borregales that put the Patriots up, 26-20, with 1:52 left, the Bengals got the ball back on their own 28 and the Bengals had the ball at the New England 28. But Flacco threw three straight incomplete passes as the Bengals fell for a fourth straight loss and eight in nine.

The Bengals (3-8) were led by running back Chase Brown, who had 107 yards on 19 carries. The Patriots (10-2) won their ninth straight and remain in the hunt for the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.

The game started off well for the Bengals as Flacco drove them to the New England 35 and settled for a McPherson 53-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Then on New England’s third drive of the day, Maye overthrew Henry and the ball landed right in the hands of Geno Stone. THe Bengals safety returned it 32 yards for pick-6 and a 10-0 Cincinnati lead.

But the Patriots answered with 17 straight points, including a pick-6 of their own by nickel corner Marcus Jones, who took a pass intended for Tahj Brooks in the right flat and stepped right in front and cruised in for a 33-yard score and a 14-10 New England lead.

The Patriots made it 17-10 on an Andy Borregales 41-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the first half. But the Bengals answered when Flacco found Tee Higgins on a slant lead to a 63-yard field goal from Evan McPherson, a new personal and franchise record. The kick brought the Bengals within four at the half, 17-13.

McPherson hit a 67-yarder in Green Bay that was wiped out by a timeout right before the kick.

Aside from the 63-yard field and the Geno Stone pick-6, the only other highlight came in the third quarter when the Bengals defense held the Patriots nine times inside the 10 yard line without a score in the third quarter.

Jalen Davis started at nickel corner for the Bengals.

Jake Browning came in for Joe Flacco with five minutes left in the fourth quarter after getting hit on his right throwing hand on a 13-yard completion to Mike Gesicki. Flacco returned one play later.