The New England Patriots didn’t just win on Sunday — they rewrote the script. Down 10-0 at halftime, trailing by double digits for the first time since their season opener, the Patriots clawed back with grit, precision, and a cold-blooded kicker to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-20 at Paycor Stadium on November 23, 2025. The win wasn’t just another victory. It was their tenth of the season — their first since 2019 — and it stretched their winning streak to nine games, putting them firmly atop the AFC with a 10-2 record and a 2.5-game lead over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
From Desperation to Dominance
It started ugly. With 41 seconds left in the first quarter, Geno Stone of the Bengals intercepted Drake Maye and returned it 33 yards for a pick-six. The crowd roared. The Patriots looked rattled. For the first time in months, they were behind by double digits — a familiar ghost from their 2023-2024 seasons, when they won just eight games total. But Maye didn’t flinch. On the very next drive, he fired a 28-yard laser to Hunter Henry, the ten-year veteran tight end who finished with a career-high 115 yards on seven catches. The touchdown cut the deficit to 10-7. The momentum shifted. Not with a bang, but with a breath. A quiet confidence. The kind that only comes from a team that’s been through hell and remembers how to get up.The Kicker Who Kept Them Alive
The game became a battle of field position and nerve. Andy Borregales, the Patriots’ unheralded kicker, became the quiet hero. He drilled four field goals — 32, 41, 45, and then, with 1:51 left, a 52-yard bomb that sent the visiting sideline into pandemonium. That kick? It wasn’t just distance. It was timing. The Bengals had just scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Mitchell Tinsley, cutting the lead to 23-20. The Patriots needed breathing room. Borregales gave it to them.The Bengals’ Heartbreak, Again
Cincinnati had their chance. Flacco, starting in place of injured Jake Browning, played with poise — 223 yards, one TD, one INT. Running back Chase Brown churned out 107 yards on 19 carries. But the Bengals’ offense stalled when it mattered most. Their final drive, starting with 2:15 left, moved efficiently to the Patriots’ 26-yard line. But on fourth-and-1, Flacco’s pass to tight end Mike Gesicki sailed incomplete, sealed by a tight coverage from Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones. It was the same story as last week against the Ravens. And the week before against the Browns. Close. But not close enough. Head coach Zac Taylor summed it up after the game: “Just been one of those years where we haven’t found a way at the end of the game. And that’s been frustrating.”Defensive Grit and Unlikely Heroes
The Patriots’ defense, often overlooked this season, delivered when it counted. Anfernee Jennings sacked Flacco on third down to force a punt. Christian Barmore blocked a punt attempt that led to a Patriots field goal. And Jones? He didn’t just break up the final pass — he also returned an interception 33 yards earlier in the game, showing why he’s one of the league’s most dangerous all-purpose defenders. The Patriots converted 7 of 14 third downs. The Bengals managed only 5 of 13. New England held the ball for 32 minutes — a critical advantage in a game decided by inches.
A Milestone in the Making
This win wasn’t just about the record. It was about identity. After going 3-14 in 2023 and 5-12 in 2024, the Patriots were written off. Now? They’re 10-2. They’re 6-0 on the road. And they’re the only team in the AFC with double-digit wins. Maye, a second-year quarterback who was criticized for his early-season turnovers, now leads the league in fourth-quarter comebacks. “That’s what the league is about — battling adversity,” he said. “I gave them one early... and we just kept fighting.”What’s Next?
The Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13 — a potential AFC title game preview. The Bengals, now 5-7, face the Steelers next. Their playoff hopes are slipping. For Cincinnati, the question isn’t just “Can they win?” — it’s “Can they ever close?”Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is this 10-win season for the Patriots?
It’s massive. The Patriots hadn’t reached 10 wins since 2019, their last championship-caliber season. After winning just eight combined games in 2023 and 2024, this turnaround signals a full rebuild under head coach Jerod Mayo. They’re now on pace for their first 12-win season since 2017, and Maye’s emergence as a clutch QB has redefined the franchise’s future.
Why did the Bengals keep losing close games?
Cincinnati has now lost five games by seven points or fewer this season. Their offense consistently moves the ball but stalls in the red zone — they’re 21st in the league in red zone touchdown percentage. Coach Taylor’s play-calling in clutch moments has drawn criticism, and their defense, while improved, still lacks a game-changing playmaker when the pressure’s highest.
What role did Hunter Henry play in the win?
Henry was the offensive anchor. His 115 receiving yards were the most by a Patriots tight end since Rob Gronkowski’s final season in 2018. He made key catches on third downs, including the game-tying touchdown. His chemistry with Maye — built over the past six weeks — has become the most reliable connection in New England’s passing game, especially when the pocket collapses.
How did Andy Borregales’ 52-yard field goal compare historically?
It was the longest game-deciding field goal by a Patriot since Stephen Gostkowski’s 54-yarder in 2017. Borregales, a 2024 undrafted free agent, now has 15 field goals this season with a 93.8% accuracy rate. His composure under pressure has made him one of the most underrated players in the league — and a critical reason the Patriots have won four games by three points or fewer this year.
Is Drake Maye now considered a top-tier quarterback?
He’s trending that way. After a shaky start, Maye has thrown 14 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions in his last six games. He’s the first Patriots QB since Tom Brady to win nine straight starts. His 247-yard, 1-TD performance against a top-10 defense was his most efficient game yet. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently called him “the most improved QB in the AFC this season.”
What does this mean for the AFC playoff picture?
The Patriots are now the #1 seed in the AFC. With their 6-0 road record and the Chiefs’ recent struggles, they could host the AFC Championship Game. The Bills and Ravens are chasing them, but both have tougher remaining schedules. If New England wins their next two games — against KC and Miami — they’ll clinch the top seed with two weeks to spare.
