Game Preview: Patriots at Bengals

When the Patriots run – Edge: Bengals

This will be a huge key for the Patriots under first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Running the football has been a priority for Van Pelt, and other than a promising first half against the Commanders in the preseason finale the production has been lacking all summer. That was especially true on the practice field as Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson had trouble finding creases in the defense. Stevenson figures to be the lead dog on early downs but Gibson has shown the ability to perform well in Van Pelt’s zone running schemes and should get this share of carries as well. The good news is the Bengals struggled to stop the run a year ago, finishing tied for 26^th allowing 136.3 yards per game and 23^rd at 4.4 yards per carry. Cincinnati brought in Sheldon Rankins to help shore up the front and he will join B.J. Hill at defensive tackle in front of talented linebackers Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt. The Bengals figure to be improved in that area but the Patriots will still try to establish Stevenson between the tackles to take some heat off Jacoby Brissett and the patchwork offensive line.

When the Patriots pass – Edge: Bengals

Speaking of Brissett and that patchwork offensive line, the Bengals might not be the best pass rush to go against in Week 1. Edge rushers Trey Hendrickson (17.5) and Sam Hubbard (6) combined for 23.5 of Cincy’s 44 sacks a year ago. Hendrickson missed time during camp while attempting to get a contract extension, but he figures to be in the lineup. That’s not great news for the Patriots tackles, the identity of whom as of the close of the preseason was still unclear. Free agent addition Chuks Okorafor spent time at left tackle despite playing almost exclusively on the right side during his career. Mike Onwenu moved from right guard to right tackle late in camp while rookie guard Layden Robinson was inserted into…