New England @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2016 ) Cincinnati 17, New England 35

The New England Patriots are dealing with unfamiliar issues on the field while dealing with a familiar accusation off the field, facing charges of a video-taping incident involving their upcoming opponent. Most pressing for the Patriots is trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 2002 when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

New England coach Bill Belichick denied any wrongdoing after an advance scout for the defending Super Bowl champions was caught taping Cincinnati's sideline during last week's game. “We’re competitive and we’ll try to be competitive in every area. But we don’t knowingly, intentionally want to do anything that’s across the line," said Belichick, who was fined $500,000 as part of a series of disciplinary measures against the team for the Spygate sage in 2007. While the Patriots can clinch a playoff berth Sunday amid an NFL investigation into the incident, the Bengals are seeking only their second win while also trying to distance themselves from the video-taping subplot. “This is a tough opponent right now," Cincinnati first-year coach Zac Taylor said. "We’re devoting all of our team making sure we’re prepared. That is where all of our focus is.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -9.5. O/U: 41.5

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (10-3): New England topped the league in scoring during its perfect 8-0 start to the season but its offense has slowed to a crawl, averaging 17.6 points -- nearly 14 points fewer -- over the past five games. Since returning from the bye week, three-time NFL MVP Tom Brady has been limited to 216 yards or less three times while failing to complete more than 55.3 percent of his passes in that span. Julian Edelman has been the one constant in the passing game with 69 catches in his last nine games but running back Sony Michel has yet to rush for 100 yards this season and has not scored since Week 8. The Patriots allowed a league-low 12.9 points and rank second versus the pass (171.8 yards).

ABOUT THE BENGALS (1-12): Andy Dalton, who returned from a four-week benching to guide Cincinnati to its lone win versus the New York Jets in Week 13, threw for 262 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception in last weekend's 27-19 loss at Cleveland. The Bengals lost promising receiver Auden Tate to a knee injury in that game but the passing game received a boost when John Ross (foot), who returned from IR last weekend, practiced fully on Thursday. The brightest spot for the Bengals over the past month is Joe Mixon, who rushed for a season-high 146 yards last week and scored for the third time in his last four games. Cincinnati has the league's worst rush defense, allowing 156.7 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brady needs one scoring pass to become the first QB with 17 seasons of at least 20 TD passes.

2. Dalton has a 109.5 passer rating with three TDs and zero picks in two games versus New England.

3. Patriots RB James White has 36 receptions in his last five games.

PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Bengals 13