Patriots Beat Bengals 26-20 on Pick-Six, Road Win No. 6 Pushes Them to 10-2

The New England Patriots didn’t just win on Sunday—they rewrote their season’s script. Down by three early, battered by injuries, and struggling in the red zone, the Patriots pulled off a gritty 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Week 12 of the 2025 NFL seasonCincinnati, Ohio. It wasn’t pretty. But it was decisive. And it was historic.

A Turnaround Written in Red and White

Just two seasons ago, the Patriots combined for eight total wins. This year? They’ve already hit ten. And they’ve done it without a single home victory. At 6-0 on the road, they’re the only team in the NFL with that record. The win over the Bengals didn’t just extend their streak—it solidified their place atop the AFC East, now 2.5 games ahead of the Buffalo Bills. For a franchise that spent the last two years rebuilding behind a patchwork offensive line and a rookie quarterback, this isn’t just a surprise—it’s a seismic shift.

The Plays That Changed Everything

It started with a bang—for the wrong team. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, just 25 and in his fourth NFL season, launched a 63-yard field goal in the first quarter. It wasn’t just a long kick—it was a franchise record, the longest in Bengals history. Fans erupted. The Patriots’ defense, though, stayed calm.

Then came the turning point. On a second-and-10 late in the second quarter, Drake Maye, the 22-year-old Patriots quarterback, tried to force a throw into tight coverage. Geno Stone, the Bengals’ 25-year-old safety, read it perfectly. The ball floated. Stone caught it mid-stride and sprinted 33 yards for a pick-six. The stadium fell silent. The Patriots’ sideline exploded.

But the real dagger? A response. With under five minutes left and the Patriots clinging to a 23-20 lead, Marcus Jones, the electric 25-year-old cornerback, intercepted Joe Flacco’s slant route and returned it 33 yards for another touchdown. It was Jones’ second pick-six of the season. The crowd didn’t even have time to boo before the scoreboard flashed 26-20. Game over.

The Irony of Geno Stone

Here’s the twist: Geno Stone didn’t just play for the Bengals—he used to be a Patriot. Drafted by New England in 2023, Stone was cut in training camp last year after a series of injuries. The Bengals picked him up, and now he’s their defensive heartbeat. He intercepted Maye in the second quarter, then got flattened by Hunter Henry on a 23-yard catch-and-run later in the game. "He’s one of us," said Patriots defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo after the game. "But today? He was on the other side. And he made us pay."

Offensive Struggles, Defensive Grit

The Patriots’ offense converted just 3 of 12 third downs. Their red zone efficiency? A dismal 50%. Yet they won. Why? Because their defense forced three turnovers and turned two into touchdowns. Drake Maye threw for 214 yards and one score, but he was under constant pressure. The Bengals’ front seven, led by linebacker Germaine Pratt, sacked him three times. Still, Maye delivered when it mattered—especially on the 14-yard touchdown pass to veteran tight end Hunter Henry, who caught seven passes for 89 yards and a score.

Meanwhile, the Bengals’ offense, led by 39-year-old Joe Flacco, looked old and slow. Their longest reception of the day? 50 yards. Running back Chase Brown managed just 71 yards on 22 carries. Their offense scored 20 points, but two came on a fumble recovery. The rest? A 63-yard field goal and a 33-yard interception return by the opposition.

What This Means for the Playoff Race

The Patriots are now 10-2. They’ve won five straight. Their schedule the rest of the way? Tough, but manageable. They face the Jets, Dolphins, and Raiders—all playoff contenders—but they’ve shown they can win anywhere. On the road. With a shaky offensive line. With a quarterback still learning. That’s the mark of a true contender.

For the Bengals? The loss drops them to 5-7. They’re now two games behind the Steelers in the AFC North. Head coach Zac Taylor’s job security is under increasing scrutiny. Flacco, playing in his 15th NFL season, looks like a man running on fumes. The Bengals’ offense hasn’t scored more than 24 points in any of their last four games. The clock is ticking.

The Bigger Picture: A New Era in New England

This isn’t just about one win. It’s about identity. The Patriots aren’t just rebuilding—they’re reinventing. With Maye at the helm, Jones on the defensive backfield, and Henry anchoring the tight end position, they’ve built something new: fast, aggressive, opportunistic. They don’t need Tom Brady’s ghost anymore. They’ve got their own.

And if you’re wondering how they’ve done it? Look at their special teams. Punter Orlando Brown pinned the Bengals inside their 10-yard line three times. That’s not luck. That’s discipline. That’s the kind of detail that wins close games.