Bengals Vs. Patriots - Season Opener

It's here Bengals fans, opening week! Sure, Thursday and Friday's openers were nice appetizers, but it's time for the main course of the weekend. Let's get into it!

Bengals (9-8 2023) Vs. Patriots (4-13 2023)

Kickoff - 1PM CBS

Line - Bengals -7.5 and O/u 40.5 - This is mostly due to concerns over how much Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will play.

Series - Patriots 17-10

Last Meeting - Bengals 22-18 Dec 24, 2022 Foxborough, MA

Ja'Marr Chase deal coming soon?!?

It's been something that we knew was a long time coming, Ja'Marr Chase's extension. While he was in camp, he wasn't practicing, just hanging out with the coaches and occasionally shagging some balls, no big deal. He's also made it clear that he wants to be the highest paid receiver in the NFL, more than former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson's record setting four-year, $140M dollar deal that he signed this offseason.

The bad news? He and the Bengals haven't been able to make everything come together just yet. The good news? It may be happening soon, and that's directly from the horse's, err, Bengals mouth. "Contract status, pretty good for real," (Chase) said. I want to say we're off a little bit, but it's in reach. . ."

That's got to be good to hear for fans of a notoriously tight-fisted franchise because any success this team has will be heavily influenced by Ja'Marr's play on the field.

Regarding Sunday's game it sounds like Chase is a go, at least if it were up to him, calling himself "100 percent" while admitting that he might be limited after sitting out all of training camp. When asked about Chase's status for Sunday, Head Coach Zac Taylor merely replied with a cryptic "We'll see."

Bits and Baubles

Bengals

The Bengals are 2-3 in their last 5 games against the Patriots sandwiching wins in 2022 and 2013 around three losses. In the most recent meeting Joe Burrow threw for 375 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins each had 8 receptions in that game.

Patriots

HC Jerod Mayo will be the first new Patriots head coach since the 2000 season (Bill Belichick) and the first Patriots HC to have played in the NFL since Raymond Berry (1984-89). Two Patriots were Mayo's teammates during his last season in the NFL (2015) - Center David Andrews and Long Snapper Joe Cardona. 2024 First Round draft pick Drake Maye was the Patriots highest selection (3rd Overall) since taking Mayo with the 10th Overall pick in 2008.

Injury Report

Bengals

Amarius Mims - Pectoral - OUT

Kris Jenkins - Thumb - OUT

Myles Murphy - Knee - OUT-IR (scheduled to return Oct 6)

Tee Higgins - Hamstring - Doubtful

Ja'Marr Chase - Non-injury related - Questionable

Patriots

Sidy Sow - Ankle - OUT

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. - Knee - OUT-IR

Joshua Uche - Foot - Questionable (Practiced Fri)

Antonio Gibson - Hip - Questionable

Fantasy advice

Keep an eye on the pregame shows for news on both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins' status. Hopefully you'll already have replacements available but, if not, Jermaine Burton and Andrei Iosivas are likely both available on the waiver wire. Patriots 2nd Round pick Ja'Lynn Polk has potential. . . when Drake Maye takes over, but might also make an OK streaming option if needed.

Prediction

Bengals 27 - Patriots 13