Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) vs. New England Patriots (3-0)
First half notes.
Bengals start conservative and unleash as the half moved on. Bengals still shutout on third downs (0/3) whereas the other two drives finished in touchdown and interception. Patriots had three drives of 60 yards or more including their last 12-play, 62-yard drive that took 6:48. Madieu Williams leads the team with seven tackles and Nedu Ndukwe, playing a LB/S hybrid, is all over the place. Defense, in general, is playing off and on. While they give up long sustaining drives, they've also picked off a pass and forced a three-and-out. Not bad. But the Bengals need to score to start the second half or this team could be behind the eight ball... quickly.
On the injury front. Lemar Marshall suffered an injury on Kevin Faulk's 23-yard reception to his left achilles. No official word on Willie Anderson. He's been out since the Bengals second drive of the game. Madieu Williams and Landon Johnson spent time out attending eyes being stabbed by Patriots fingers.
PERSONNEL UPDATE II: Stepanovich gets start over Ghiaciuc
Alex Stepanovich made his third straight start in place of Eric Ghiaciuc at center, but Ghiaciuc was active.[Bengals.com]
PERSONNEL UPDATE: Laurence Maroney, Caleb Miller and Ahmad Books OUT
Both starting running backs didn't dress for Monday night's game between the Bengals and Patriots with New England putting down Laurence Maroney and Cincinnati Rudi Johnson. The Bengals also de-activated middle linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Caleb Miller.[Bengals.com]
Inactive/Out: Rashad Jeanty, Ethan Kilmer, Tab Perry, Rudi Johnson
Series Leader: Patriots, 12-8
Streak: Patriots, five of the past six games
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 0-2, Belichick: 11-3
Broadcast: ESPN, 8:30pm: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, Suzy Kolber & Michele Tafoya (Field reporters). Westwood One Radio: Dave Sims, Boomer Esiason. SIRIUS: 124 (Westwood); 126 (NE), 123 (Cin.).
SB Nation: Pats Pulpit
Uniform: Orange shirts
Weather at kickoff : 65-69F. Partly Cloudy. Winds between 3-5 mph. [Local 12]
Starters: We project the starting lineup below based on last week's starters and today's trickle of info. Week 1-3 are official via NFL.com. Week #4 is total projection.
| POS. | Week #4 |
| QB | Palmer |
| RB | Watson |
| FB | J.Johnson |
| WR | C.Johnson |
| WR | Houshmandzadeh |
| TE | Kelly |
| LT | L.Jones |
| LG | Whitworth |
| C | Stepanovich |
| RG | Williams |
| RT | Anderson |
| POS | Week #4 |
| LE | Geathers |
| DT | Peko |
| DT | Thornton |
| RE | Smith |
| WB | L. Johnson |
| MB | Schlegel |
| SB | Marshall (D) |
| SS | Jackson |
| FS | Williams |
| CB | Joseph |
| CB | O'Neal |