The New England Patriots pulled off a gritty 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Gillette Stadium — their sixth straight road win and a statement that this team isn’t just back, it’s building something real. Quarterback Drake Maye, once the subject of draft-day debates, delivered his most complete performance yet, threading passes under pressure and leading four scoring drives in the second half. The win wasn’t pretty, but it was decisive: Patriots 10, last two seasons combined? That’s not a typo. They’re 10-2 now, and they’re two and a half games ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
From Franchise Flicker to Division Leader
Two years ago, the Patriots were 4-13. Last year? 4-13 again. Fans were calling for rebuilds, coaches were fired, and the future looked dim. But this season? Something clicked. And it wasn’t just luck. It was Maye’s poise, the defense’s hunger, and a coaching staff that finally stopped overthinking. The win over Cincinnati wasn’t just about points — it was about momentum. They entered the game as underdogs on paper, but left as the league’s most dangerous road team. Six wins away from home. Zero losses. That’s not a fluke. That’s a culture shift.
The Plays That Changed Everything
The Bengals opened strong with Evan McPherson drilling a 54-yard field goal — a kick so clean, commentators called it "dead solid perfect." But the Patriots didn’t flinch. On third-and-eleven late in the second quarter, Maye dropped back, scanned the field, and launched a 42-yard bomb to wide receiver Douglas. The ball hung in the air like it was in slow motion — and Douglas caught it with one hand, barely staying in bounds. Two plays later, Hunter Henry — the quiet workhorse tight end — caught a 7-yard slant, broke a tackle from safety Gino Stone, and dove into the end zone. The Patriots led 14-10.
Then came the defense. Marcus Jones, the electric cornerback-turned-safety, turned a short pass into a 21-yard tackle-breaking run after a blocked kick. He wasn’t even supposed to be in that position. But he read the route, shed a block from Bengals receiver Tinsley, and turned the field. "That’s the kind of play you don’t coach," said analyst Kevin Sheehan on NFL Network. "That’s instinct. That’s heart."
On the next drive, Landry — the Patriots’ relentless defensive lineman — crushed Joe Flacco on third down, forcing a fumble recovered by linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. The Patriots turned it into a field goal. 17-10. The Bengals responded with a 15-play drive that chewed up eight minutes, capped by a 1-yard touchdown from Chase Brown. But the clock was bleeding. And the Patriots had one more weapon: time.
Defense, Discipline, and the Power of Pressure
The Bengals’ offense, usually so efficient, looked rattled. Flacco was sacked three times, pressured on 11 of his 41 dropbacks. The Patriots’ front seven didn’t blitz — they just showed up. Every snap. Every down. Landry alone had 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits. "They didn’t try to out-skill us," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor after the game. "They just outworked us. And that’s the hardest thing to beat."
Meanwhile, the Patriots’ running game — often overlooked — kept the chains moving. Rhamondre Stevenson and Harris Henderson combined for 112 yards on 24 carries, including a crucial 4-yard gain on third-and-goal late in the fourth quarter. That drive lasted 7:18. The Bengals had one last chance — down six, 1:12 left, no timeouts. Flacco drove them to the Patriots’ 32-yard line. But on fourth-and-6, Gino Stone read the slant, jumped the route, and intercepted the ball. Game over.
What This Means for the AFC
This win doesn’t just put the Patriots in the driver’s seat of the AFC East. It changes the narrative. They’re not a team trying to rebuild. They’re a team that’s rebuilt. Maye, now 23, is playing like a veteran. The defense, once porous, is now top-5 in points allowed. And the coaching staff? They’ve stopped trying to be the Patriots of Belichick’s past. They’re becoming the Patriots of now.
Meanwhile, the Bengals — still 7-5 — are starting to look like a team with too many questions. Their offensive line is inconsistent. Their secondary is overmatched. And their quarterback, while still capable, isn’t getting enough help. They’ll need to fix things fast. The playoffs are still possible. But they’re no longer in control.
Behind the Numbers
- 10 wins for the Patriots in 2025 — their most since 2019
- 6-0 on the road — first time since 2017
- 547,000 views on NFL Network’s highlights within 15 hours of the game
- 26-20 final score — the closest of the Patriots’ last four wins
- 3 interceptions by Patriots defense in their last three games — up from 1 in the first six
And let’s not forget the social media explosion. The Patriots’ YouTube channel dropped "Every Drake Maye Pass Completion Against the Bengals" — a 12-minute compilation that already has 1.3 million views. Fans aren’t just watching. They’re rewatching. Reliving. Believing.
What’s Next?
The Patriots host the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday in a potential AFC playoff preview. The Bengals fly to Baltimore to face the Baltimore Ravens — a team that’s won six straight and has a defense that makes quarterbacks sweat. If the Bengals lose, they’ll be 7-6. And suddenly, their playoff path looks like a minefield.
For New England? The schedule gets tougher — but the confidence? It’s never been higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Drake Maye improve so much from last season?
Maye’s growth stems from better decision-making and a more stable offensive line. He threw 18 interceptions in 2024; he’s had just 3 through 12 games in 2025. His completion rate jumped from 59% to 68%, and his yards per attempt rose from 6.8 to 8.3. Coaches credit his film study and a new QB coach who emphasized reading coverages pre-snap.
Why is the Patriots’ road record so dominant this season?
New England’s road success comes from disciplined execution and minimizing self-inflicted errors. They’ve committed just 4 penalties per away game — lowest in the NFL — and have forced 11 turnovers on the road. Their special teams, led by Marcus Jones, have also contributed two touchdowns and two blocked kicks away from home.
Who are the key defensive players for the Patriots this year?
Alongside Marcus Jones and Gino Stone, defensive lineman Landry has been a revelation with 9.5 sacks and 21 pressures. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley leads the team in tackles (98), and safety Kyle Dugger has been the emotional leader, making 14 pass breakups — tied for second in the league. The defense is now ranked 5th in DVOA.
How does this win impact the AFC playoff picture?
The Patriots now control their own destiny in the AFC East. A win against the Raiders next week puts them at 11-2 and likely locks up the division. Even if they lose two of their final four, they’re still likely to be a top-3 seed. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ path to a wild card is narrowing — they’re now tied for the 7th seed and trail four teams in the AFC.
Why did the Bengals struggle despite Evan McPherson’s strong start?
McPherson’s 54-yard field goal was a bright spot, but the Bengals’ offense stalled after that. They managed just 173 total yards in the second half, with Joe Flacco completing only 10 of 22 passes. The offensive line gave up 6 sacks, and Chase Brown was held to 3.1 yards per carry. Without a consistent running game or reliable red-zone efficiency, they couldn’t sustain drives.
Is this the Patriots’ best team since 2018?
It’s too early to say they’re better than the 2018 Super Bowl team — that squad had Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and a historically great defense. But this 2025 group is the most complete since then. They’re balanced, resilient, and deep. If they stay healthy, they’re the only team in the AFC with the talent to beat the Chiefs in a playoff rematch.