Kickoff: The Patriots will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Christmas Eve Day in a must win game at Gillette Stadium. At 7-7, the Patriots need to win this game to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. For the Bengals, they need to keep pace in the AFC North and they need. This game for seeding purposes.

The Patriots are 17-9 all time against the Bengals. The last time these two teams met was 2019. The Patriots beat the Bengals in Cincinnati 34-13. The last time the Bengals were in Foxboro was October 16th 2016. The Patriots won that meeting 35-17.

Four Downs (4 Keys to the game)

1st Down: Move on from last week: The Patriots need to put last week’s debacle in Las Vegas behind them. What’s done is done. You cannot change what happened so focus on this week and do what it takes to get the win.

2nd Down: Pass pro must be on point: The Patriots offensive line has struggled in pass protection all season long. They are going to face one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. Trent Brown, Conor McDermott and company must win one on one because if they don’t, Mac Jones will once again struggle.

3rd Down: Get consistent pressure on Burrow: The Patriots have to get consistent pressure on Joe Burrow and throw him off his spot. If Burrow is allowed to hang in the pocket and work through his progression consistently, it is going to be a long afternoon for the Patriots defense.

4th Down: Be physical with their receivers: The Patriots have to be physical with Ja’Marr Chase and the rest of this Cincinnati skill group. They will play a fair amount of man coverage and when they do, they need to re-route and throw the timing of the Bengals passing game off.

Extra Point: The Patriots are 10-2 at home against Cincinnati, including a 4-0 record against the Bengals at Gillette Stadium.

Final Drive: The Patriots basks are firmly against the wall. If they want to make the playoffs, they need this one. It won’t be easy. Cincinnati is playing as well as team in the league right now. They will pose major match up problems. The Patriots are going to have to play flawless if they want to win this game. They have to finish drives offensively and be opportunistic on defense. It might be too much to ask in the end.