Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson had two interceptions each including a return by Gilmore for a touchdown in a three interception third quarter by Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton, as the New England Patriots outscored the Bengals 14-0 in the decisive third to pull away for a 34-13 win at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday afternoon.
New England (11-3) had a good start driving the length of the field for an early touchdown. It took the Patriots eight plays to go 75 yards with Tom Brady connecting with James White for a 23 yard score. Cincinnati (1-13) came right back when Dalton hit Cethan Carter for a nine yard touchdown to tie it 7-7. It was the first catch of the season for Carter. The Bengals on their second possession got a 34 yard field goal from Randy Bullock for a 10-7 lead after one quarter. The visitors took a three point halftime lead on the strength of field goals from Nick Folk of 40 and 46 yards in the second quarter.
The third quarter was the difference in the game. Dalton threw his first interception on third down on the first possession of the second half on a pass intended for Tyler Boyd that was picked off by Gilmore at the Bengals 43 yard line. The Patriots took advantage with key plays being a 13 yard run by White on third down, and a 14 yard catch by Sony Michel. N’Keal Harry finished it off with a diving seven yard TD reception to increase the lead to 10. The second interception by Dalton was very costly, as Gilmore not only had the takeaway but returned it untouched up the left sideline for a 64 yard touchdown to make it 27-10. Later in the quarter the Bengals signal caller was picked off for a third time by Jackson.
After Bullock pulled Cincinnati back within 14 with a field goal with 6:33 to play, the Patriots put it away with a short field after a failed onside kick by the Bengals. Rex Burkhead went 33 yards to the house to end the scoring on the day. Jackson had another interception late on Dalton, who tied his career high with the fourth interception.
Brady with his two touchdown passes now had 20 or more touchdown throws in 17 seasons which is an NFL record. He also passed Drew Brees (537) for second all-time with 538 touchdown passes, one short of the leader Peyton Manning at 539. Brady was 15-29 passing in the win for 128 yards and the two scores and no interceptions. Michel rushed 19 times for 89 yards, while Burkhead added six for 53 yards and the fourth quarter touchdown run. White had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving core. Leading receiver Julian Edelman was held to just two catches for nine yards. Deatrich Wise and Ja’Whuan Bentley each had seven tackles to lead the defense as the Patriots officially clinched a playoff spot. The offensive leader for Cincinnati was Joe Mixon who had 25 carries for 136 yards and also added three catches for 20. Dalton finished 17-31 for 151 yards, with one touchdown and the very costly four interceptions. New England will face Buffalo at home next Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
