Overview
- New England beat Cincinnati 26-20, with Drake Maye going 22 of 35 for a career-high 294 yards, one touchdown and one interception returned 32 yards for a pick-six by Geno Stone.
- Mike Vrabel labeled Maye’s outing “limiting” and “middling” and the offense settled for four field goals after early struggles, including two goal-to-go trips that produced only three points.
- Before kickoff, Stefon Diggs mimicked Cam Newton’s signature “Superman” during a handshake and Maye shook his head and declined, a shift from his earlier-season homage to Newton.
- The win followed a week in which Cam Newton called the Patriots “fool’s gold,” Drake Maye said he didn’t know which show Newton appears on, and Stephen A. Smith walked back calling Maye a “liar,” saying he was being facetious.
- Rookie linemen Will Campbell (knee) and Jared Wilson (ankle) were carted off, adding concern to a 10-2 team still discussed in MVP conversations for Maye despite a less-than-crisp Week 12.