The Patriots nine-game winning streak and season-long turnaround has been fueled by several key factors, but none bigger than the play of their quarterback and improvement in the trenches.

Starting on the line of scrimmage, New England's trench play has improved significantly this season. A combination of good coaching under head coach Mike Vrabel, a trenches guy at heart, and better personnel, with four new starters on the offensive line and key offseason acquisitions on the defensive front, such as standout DT Milton Williams, EDGEs K'Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry III and NT Khyiris Tonga, all have contributed to that improvement.

Although they aren't all the way there in building out the trenches, the metrics back up the eye test, saying the Patriots are much better along the line of scrimmage. This season, the Pats are seventh in PFF pass-blocking grade (70.3) and 23rd in run-blocking grade (57.1), compared to 31st in pass protection and last in run-blocking in 2024. Defensively, New England has jumped up to 17th in pass-rush grade (69.0) and second in run-stop win rate (34%) from 28th and 18th in last season.

The steps taken to improve the trench play are working for the Patriots, and the improvement is a huge reason why they're 10-2. Unfortunately, their depth will now be tested due to recent injuries to Williams (IR, ankle), Tonga (chest), and rookies LT Will Campbell (knee) and LG Jared Wilson (ankle) along the O-Line. On Sunday, the Patriots escaped with a 26-20 win over the Bengals in Cincinnati. However, cracks in the foundation are showing as attrition mounts during a long season.

Defensively, the impact of not having Williams and Tonga (played 12 snaps before exiting the game) really showed up both on film and statistically. From the eye test, the defense lacked impactful plays from the front seven that jump off the film. Typically, Williams fills up my sheet with impactful plays each week, and those were sorely missed through the middle of the Patriots defense that was easier to move than usual without their big nose tackle and arguably their best defender.

By the numbers, Cincinnati averaged 3.0 rushing yards before contact on their 22 rushes, the second-best mark in the NFL in Week 12 and a season-high vs. the Patriots. The Bengals had 12 successful runs to only two stuffed runs (runs for no gain or negative yards), producing a 60.9% rushing success rate, also a season-best vs. New England. As for the pass rush, the Patriots generated a 31.6% pressure rate on Bengals QB Joe Flacco on Sunday, but most of that was accumulated on Cincy's 13-play game-winning drive attempt, where they needed to score a touchdown via traditional drop-back passing (six total pressures). On Cincy's first nine possessions, the Patriots pressure rate was only 14.8%.

Offensively, the attrition in the trenches manifested itself in the Patriots run game, especially their short-yardage or late-down runs, which had a 25% success rate with four stuffed runs from inside the Bengals five-yard line on two separate goal-line stands by Cincinnati's defense. Overall, the Patriots landed in the 13th percentile at -0.35 EPA per carry, and they'll need to turn that around down their all-rookie left side for, perhaps, at least the near future..

That brings us to QB Drake Maye, who set a new career-high with 294 passing yards but was a little off against the Bengals 32nd-ranked defense by DVOA. By my charting, Maye had his second-worst outing of the season, just besting the season-opener vs. the Raiders (8.5 plus plays, 11 minus). Accuracy was an issue for Maye, with five errant throws, including his first-career pick-six on a pass intended for TE Hunter Henry. Statistically, Maye produced his second-lowest completion percentage over expectation (CPOE) output of the season (-0.4), while Cincy's defense also won some rounds by blitzing Maye (4-12 vs. the blitz, 0-5 vs. cover zero).

The good news for the Patriots is that, despite having a rare off-game, Maye generated +0.21 expected points added (76th percentile) with a 62.9 total QBR, which is still winning football. It also sounds like Campbell, Tonga, Williams, and Wilson may not be dealing with season-ending injuries, so New England could get that group of players back eventually. Still, games are won and lost in the trenches and by the quarterback's play, and with measuring-stick games looming against the Bills and Ravens, the Patriots will need to find more consistency in those areas than they showed in Cincinnati.

Here are our quick-hit film notes from the Patriots win over the Bengals on Sunday.

Quick-Hit Film Notes From Patriots-Bengals

Offense

- The Patriots had at least four chances to score touchdowns on their first failed goal-line sequence: a four-yard swing pass to Henderson, Maye got inadvertently tripped dropping back from under center where Henry was open off play-action, a nullified touchdown due to OPI, and a fourth-down RPO where Maye could've kept it to work the pass (curl-flat) option. The Pats ran eight plays inside the five-yard line and should have scored several times. On their second red zone trip, kudos go to the Bengals, who timed up a safety blitz to blow up play-action and stuffed Maye on a sneak. Still, as head coach Mike Vrabel said on Monday, "you're not going to win too many games if you can't score from inside the 5-yard line."

- LT Vederian Lowe could start until rookie Will Campbell (knee) returns, assuming the Patriots stick with the same five they ended Sunday's game with on the O-Line (LT Lowe, LG Brown, C Bradbury, RG Onwenu, RT Moses). Lowe was serviceable in his 28 snaps vs. the Bengals, allowing a hurry when he got beat by the rusher coming off chip help, and he was on the scene for an unblocked pressure on the final third down of the game (hard to say who was responsible there). Lowe also allowed a run stuff where he got beat by some post-snap movement up front. On the plus side, he had a nice backside reach block on outside zone that led to a six-yard run. If he does start at left tackle next week, the mental errors will hopefully get cleaned up with a full week of practice reps with the 1s.

- LG Ben Brown is the other spot-starter who could see more playing time until rookie Jared Wilson (ankle) returns. Brown essentially played the entire game on Sunday, and it was a mixed bag. Pluses: backside reach/combo (six yards), backside second-level climb on outside zone (6 yards), pull block to kick out the edge on GF counter (9 yards), play-action pull pass-block, and a 1-on-1 pass pro vs. nose tackle. Minus plays: second-level climb run stuff, T/T stunt pressure, two-hand punch pressure, holding penalty coming off a duo block to pick up blitzer, and three frontside fold/reaches. Overall, that's five plus plays to seven minus plays. As we said with Lowe, hopefully, a full week of practice with the 1s will help Brown prepare to fill in for Wilson.

- TE Hunter Henry was feasting on the Bengals linebackers all afternoon, with the Patriots using inverted formations out of heavy personnel to get him favorable matchups. Henry had gains of 28 (sail route TD), 23 (shallow crosser), 17 (short in), 14 (bluff screen slant), and 12 yards (under route on third down) to pile up a career-high 115 receiving yards. He dominated this matchup and was extremely reliable on an off day for Maye, catching three passes on the Pats TD drive following the pick-six—an outstanding performance.

- TE Austin Hooper also helped settle things down with a great 21-yard catch on a back-shoulder seam and a 14-yard reception on a crosser off play-action. Henry and Hooper played like true vets in this one, helping their young QB bounce back from a shaky start.

- RB TreVeyon Henderson was the lead-back and had 10 successful runs but didn't register any runs over 10 yards. Henderson cut back nicely a few times off outside zone to hit two six-yard runs, followed behind good blocking on a 9-yard run (GF counter), and was the only Pats ball carrier to convert a late-down run (third-and-1 conversion). However, it would've been nice to see Henderson win in space vs. CB Jalen Davis in the low red zone. From this perspective, you'd like to see Henderson score there.

- RB Rhamondre Stevenson didn't have much to work with on his six carries for five yards. I'm not trying to make excuses for Stevenson, but he had -2 rushing yards before contact – there wasn't much there. This offense is better off with a productive RB duo, rather than just Henderson, so hopefully they can get the downhill runs with Stevenson going soon.

- WR Stefon Diggs had a quiet day while being shadowed by Bengals top CB, DJ Turner. However, Diggs came up big with a 14-yard reception on a crossing route to move the chains on third down, with a nice little bit of coverage manipulation by Maye. Those are the high-leverage plays they need from Diggs, even if he's not having a huge day in the box score.

- WR Kayshon Boutte returned from a hamstring injury and looked like his usual self. Boutte drew a 35-yard DPI on a go route that likely would've been a touchdown, caught a 9-yard stop route, and a 6-yard curl. I've seen the late-separation go ball from Maye to Boutte enough times to think Boutte scores there if he's not interfered with by Bengals CB Dax Hill.

- WR DeMario Douglas had two chunk plays with an excellent diving catch on a 37-yard seam-splitter and a well-sequenced end-around that gained 14 yards. McDaniels set up the end-around earlier in the drive with a similar blocking scheme on an inside run. Douglas continues to flash big-play ability as a speed-slot and gadget receiver.

- WR Mack Hollins fought through pass interference to catch a 24-yard condensed fade from Maye, which was a sweet play, and had a nice insert block on a 9-yard run. The OPI is probably going to get called, as Vrabel said, but it was a great sell by Bengals CB Dax Hill, who was burned on the play by Henry and wasn't preventing a touchdown anyway.

- WR Kyle Williams got loose on an under route with Maye finding him late in the progression for an 18-yard completion, which was good to see. Williams also had the Patriots longest kickoff return since Antonio Gibson's touchdown in Week 2, returning a fourth-quarter kickoff 36 yards out to the NE 40. I'm excited to see Williams continue returning kickoffs. He has the straight-line speed to be dynamic back there.

- C Garrett Bradbury was really good in this game with four plus-blocks in the run game, mostly on reach blocks. Bradbury was on the scene for a run stuff and a hurry, but his lateral movement in the Patriots zone schemes was on point. He had a nasty snatch+reach block and a frontside overtake that were great blocks. Bradbury is really solid when he's not locked up in too many power engagements and is using his athleticism.

- RT Morgan Moses had a quiet performance in a good way, with two plus-blocks in the run game on a fold (gap scheme) and a second-level climb that each gained nine yards. PFF has Moses allowing a QB hit, his one pressure allowed, but it came when DE Myles Murphy climbed the pocket late to hit Maye, who held the ball for 3.53s – a solid outing despite leaving the game briefly due to illness.

- RG Mike Onwenu was the Patriots best linemen with an outstanding backside reach+combo block on a 7-yard run, another down/fold block on a 9-yard run and zero pressures allowed. Onwenu has played well over the last three weeks, hopefully a sign that he's rounding into form for the stretch run.

- RT Marcus Bryant allowed two pressures on just six pass-blocking snaps, filling in briefly for Moses. Bryant lost to speed on one pass set and then had a tardy anchor against power on another. His pad level, an area the coaching staff pointed out as needing improvement in camp, is still an issue at times. Bryant did play on the left side in college, so it'll be interesting to see if they flip him back over or ride with Lowe until Campbell comes back.

- LT Will Campbell had some issues blocking on the goal-line in this one, but had a nice backside reach on a six-yard run and was clean in pass protection before leaving the game at the end of the third quarter. The side of Campbell's knee was contacted by Bengals EDGE Cedric Johnson, who was pursuing the play from the backside and caught Campbell in the crossfire. On Monday, Vrabel said Campbell's injury isn't expected to be season-ending.

- QB Pressures: Brown (QB hit, hurry), Bryant (two hurries), Lowe (two hurries), Bradbury (hurry), Moses (clean), Onwenu (clean), Campbell (clean in 43 snaps).

Defense

- On a positive note for the defense, the cover-zero blitz to stop the Bengals game-winning drive was a good design that was well executed. The Pats put seven potential rushers on the line of scrimmage out of a six-DB dime package. DB Dell Pettus then popped out of the rush into a short zone to take away the cover-zero beating slant over the middle, forcing Flacco to progress to the seam. Chaisson wins with a speed rush against the left tackle, Jones is there to defend the seam, and the Patriots win. I wonder if that'll bring on more dime with Pettus as the third safety. Currently, New England is only playing dime packages on 5% of their defensive snaps (21st in the NFL). More Pettus, please!

- The Patriots put a quarter package, or seven DBs, on the field for the Bengals FG drive before halftime. Essentially, playing prevent with a three-man D-Line. Cincy hit a 21-yard run that the Patriots were conceding with only 18 seconds left. Really, the 16-yard deep dig to Higgins was the play you'd like to see defended better. Overall, you have to tip your cap to McPherson for setting a franchise record with a 63-yard FG – the defensive strategy wasn't that bad. Just need better execution on the completion to Higgins, which shouldn't happen vs. drop-8 coverage.

- As one would expect, DT Christian Barmore saw a team-high 19 double teams in the pass rush without his running mate, Milton Williams. Barmore still managed to log three pressures, including winning with his swipe-rip move from the three-technique when he was finally 1-on-1. Barmore also logged two run stuffs. He did the best he could given the circumstances.

- EDGE K'Lavon Chaisson was another bright spot in the front seven with a huge QB hit on a speed/ghost rush on the Bengals final fourth-down play. Chaisson was also effective looping through the interior O-Line on stunt schemes and fought through chip help most of the afternoon. Obviously, the 4th-and-5 offside was a play Chaisson will want back.

- CB Carlton Davis III had arguably his best game as a Patriot with three pass breakups on the Bengals final drive. Davis also had good initial coverage on a deep out to Higgins, forcing Flacco to his check-down on Jones's pick-six, and smothered a deep route by WR Charlie Jones to force an incompletion. The 27-yard DPI was a tough call with two physical players jostling for body positioning – you wish those didn't get called.

- NCB Marcus Jones baited Flacco perfectly on his pick-six, jumping the flat after playing the curl window long enough to get Flacco off his downfield reads. Jones also broke up the final pass of the game in cover zero. Although he'll want his attempted fourth-down pass breakup back, as it went right through his hands and was caught by Tinsley to move the chains, Jones made up for it with two huge plays on the ball that were massive in the game.

- CB Christian Gonzalez allowed his first touchdown of the season in coverage to Bengals WR Mitchell Tinsley on a 17-yard go ball. It was surprising to see Gonzo lose the rep vs. Tinsley, but the Bengals wideout is a sneaky go-ball artist who has the stutter release in his bag. Gonzalez was solid otherwise, with good coverage on Higgins to force a third-down sack, allowing only three catches for 20 yards to Higgins in 12 matchups.

- S Craig Woodson did enough on a crossing route by TE Mike Gesicki to force a third-down incompletion and logged a pressure on a blitz, but he did surrender a 4-yard out to Gesicki that moved the chains on a 3rd-and-3 and had a zone-drop where he might've needed to play with more depth on a 17-yard crosser. In his defense, you would've liked to see Flacco under pressure there, as he stayed with the crosser all the way across the field from a clean pocket.

- S Jaylinn Hawkins was in perfect position to play a deep dig to Higgins that set up the field goal before halftime as a hook/robber player. Somehow, Higgins cut across him and caught the ball. Hawkins also was left in a tough spot covering Gesicki on a 13-yard out from the No. 3 spot out of quarters, which is something the Pats got beat by a few times this week. Hawkins did have two pressures as a blitzer, logging a QB hit coming off the edge on fourth down (Jones almost-PBU).

- LB Robert Spillane saved a big play with a terrific sideline-to-sideline tackle on a jet sweep that gained five yards, but could've gone for much more. He also logged a hurry as an interior blitzer, but they need more impact plays from Spillane vs. the run with the D-Line shorthanded.

- LB Christian Elliss returned in a large role with 28 snaps as the primary linebacker next to Spillane. Elliss logged a QB hit as an interior blitzer and had a run stuff but gave some ground in the run game vs. duo schemes (seven yards) and was blocked by the climbing right tackle on an 8-yard toss. You'd like to see a quicker downhill trigger on those plays.

- LB Jack Gibbens was pinned down in a slant scheme that set up a 12-yard cutback lane with the Bengals running off their own goal-line, but he did blow up one run with a good blitz and drew a hold that wiped out a +10 run. I'm a fan of Gibbens's downhill play style.

- DT Cory Durden blew up a screen and had two run stuffs but didn't log any pressures despite rushing the passer 19 times. The Patriots will need more from Durden until Williams returns.

- DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. had a nice swipe-rip rush to log a QB hit that was one of the Patriots best individual pass rushes of the day, but it was his only pressure on 17 pass-rush snaps.

- DT Eric Gregory logged a few bull-rush pressures, but he appeared to have some issues staying in his run gaps. Gregory got the nod over rookie DT Joshua Farmer this week, who is working his way back from an ankle injury. We'll see if that continues next week.

- EDGE Harold Landry had a clean-up sack, his first sack since Week 7, and he logged a QB hit looping inside on a T/E stunt on the Bengals final drive, which forced the ball out quickly to the checkdown. Still, Landry's ability to threaten the corner with his speed off the edge hasn't been there lately, and you don't see him making very many impactful plays on film. Hopefully, the bye week will do him some good. You wonder if rookies Bradyn Swinson and Elijah Ponder will get more opportunities.

- QB Pressures: Chaisson (QB hit, three hurries), Barmore (three hurries), Landry (sack, QB hit), Hawkins (QB hit, hurry), Gregory (two hurries), Pharms (QB hit), Elliss (QB hit), Ponder (hurry), Woodson (hurry), Spillane (hurry). Run Stops: two each (Barmore, Durden), one each (Ponder, Elliss, Tonga, Spillane, Davis III).

- Coverage: Jones (7/4/40 yards/INT/PBU), Gonzalez (4/4/32 yards/TD), Spillane (3/2/23 yards), Woodson (3/2/21 yards), Pettus (1/1/19 yards), Hawkins (2/2/16 yards), Elliss (4/2/13 yards), Davis III (7/2/12 yards/3 PBUs/DPI), Gibbens (1/1/4 yards), Landry (1/0/0).

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