An AFC matchup between the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals could get interesting amid recent rumblings about the home team. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow could finally return to the field for his team after being sidelined with injury for multiple weeks.
The star QB went out back in September due to a brutal toe injury, which required surgery and recovery time. However, it appears he could be back for his team, as they desperately need to start compiling wins to have a chance at the NFL Playoffs.
On the opposing side is a Patriots team that has been a surprise and among the top-tier teams in the AFC this season. New England boasts an impressive 9-2 record, which includes a perfect record on the road.
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Ahead of their potential matchup with a Burrow-led Bengals team, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed how they’ll prepare should the starting quarterback be on the field for his team.
During Vrable’s press conference on Friday, a reporter asked how Burrow’s potential return on Sunday would change the Patriots’ game plan.
“It really- it hasn’t. The stuff that they have done and will do remains the same. I mean, Joe’s probably more mobile than what Joe [Flacco] is. Both are gonna run the same concepts and the same plays and try to get the ball in the same places,” Vrable told reporters.
“I would imagine with Joe being a little bit younger, he’s gonna be a little bit more mobile, but we’ll have to be ready for whatever happens Sunday,” he said.
Vrable also mentioned that he hadn’t seen Burrow “activated off the IR” yet, but added, “whatever they decide to do, they decide to do.”
Most likely, Cincinnati would prefer its star returns healthy and able to guide the team to necessary wins. They’re currently 3-7 in an AFC North division led by a 6-4 Pittsburgh Steelers team. A 5-5 Baltimore Ravens team is second in the division, possibly giving the Bengals some hope of gaining some ground.
As of this writing, Burrow is questionable to play in Sunday’s game against New England.
If he isn’t the team’s starter on Sunday, veteran QB Joe Flacco will continue to replace him. After Burrow’s injury, the Bengals acquired Flacco in a significant trade with the Cleveland Browns earlier this season. Flacco, who continues to perform suitably, is the league’s second-oldest quarterback, turning 41 in January, while Burrow turns 28 in December.
The Patriots enter Sunday’s matchup allowing 300.6 yards of offense and 18.7 points per game. However, they rank near the middle of the NFL, allowing opponents 215 passing yards per game. According to Vrable, they’ll be ready for whichever Joe starts at quarterback for the Bengals.
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