The Cincinnati Bengals are set to kick off their 2024 NFL campaign this Sunday when they host the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium.
For the first time in over two decades, the Patriots will take the field without Bill Belichick calling the shots. Jerod Mayo begins his journey as head coach in what promises to be a fresh chapter as New England squares off against Cincinnati.
Both teams will feature new faces under center compared to how they ended the 2023 season. The Patriots parted ways with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe after underwhelming performances, while the Bengals welcome back their star quarterback Joe Burrow, who missed the end of last season due to injury.
New England finds itself in full rebuild mode, with Jacoby Brissett taking over as quarterback and Alex Van Pelt stepping in as the new offensive coordinator, alongside several other adjustments to the coaching and management teams. The offseason hasn't exactly raised expectations for the Patriots, and training camp did little to change that perspective.
In stark contrast, Cincinnati enters the season with high hopes. They're the heavy favorites in this matchup and could potentially make it a tough opener for the visiting Patriots.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch and listen to Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots NFL game, plus plenty more.
Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots: Date and kick-off time
The Bengals will take on the Patriots in a highly anticipated NFL game on Sunday, September 8, at 1:00 pm ET or 10:00 am PT, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Date | Sunday, September 8, 2024 |
Kick-off Time | 1:00 pm ET/ 10:00 am PT |
Venue | Paycor Stadium |
Location | Cincinnati, Ohio |
How to watch Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots on TV & stream live online
TV channel: CBS
- Broadcasters: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (color analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline) are on the game call.
Streaming service: Fubo TV
If you're looking to watch NFL games, Fubo is the best streaming option. Enjoy football action with a seven-day free trial.
After that, you can continue with Fubo for as little as $80/month. With access to nearly 200 channels, including CBS, Fox Sunday NFC games via "NFL on Fox", NBC (Sunday Night Football), ESPN (Monday Night Football), NFL Network and more, you'll have access to NFL games throughout the regular season and postseason.
In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Right now you can get your first month of Fubo's Pro-tier subscription for $50 instead of $80. The Elite with Sports Plus plan is down from $100 to $70 for the first month and the top-level Deluxe package is $80 as opposed to the usual $110.
Note: This is a rare discount on the first month. The plans will automatically renew at the original monthly price afterwards.
Streaming the game with a VPN
Catching out-of-market NFL action can be tricky due to local broadcasting restrictions and state-specific blackouts. Whether you're a passionate fan living far from your team's home market or simply want to watch a broader variety of matchups, there are ways to overcome these barriers.
A highly effective approach is using a VPN, which enables you to alter your virtual location, letting you access games as though you're in a different state or even abroad.
NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN service in 2024 when streaming live sports. You can even try NordVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to listen to live play-by-play commentary of Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots
Local radio:
- Bengals Radio Network - WCKY-AM (1530) and WEBN-FM (102.7)
- 98.5 The Sports Hub
Audio stream: SiriusXM — Away: 383 (CAR), 821 (NE) | Home: 226 (CAR), 806 (NE)
SiriusXM allows you to stream every NFL game throughout the season, including the pre-season games. Listeners will need either a Platinum or Streaming Platinum plan.
Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots team news & key players
Cincinnati Bengals team news
The Bengals may have high hopes this season, but they’re not without their challenges, the most notable being Ja’Marr Chase holding out. The star wideout still has two years left on his deal but is pushing hard to become the highest-paid receiver in the league. Although he participated in Friday’s practice, his availability for Sunday’s game remains uncertain.
Then there's Joe Burrow, the face of the franchise. After injuries limited him to just 10 games last season, he’s eager to make a strong comeback and lead the team once more.
Cincinnati has brought in Zack Moss to fill the void left by Joe Mixon, who’s now with Houston. Chase Brown showed promise in his rookie campaign, and the Bengals are hopeful he can continue to develop.
The offensive line remains mostly intact with three returning starters on the interior, while first-round pick Amarius Mims has been added at tackle. Even after parting ways with Tyler Boyd, the receiving group is still packed with talent. Tight end Mike Gesicki, who notched five touchdowns for Miami last season, should be a valuable asset.
On defense, the Bengals face the challenge of replacing D.J. Reader, who signed with Detroit. The departure of defensive back Chidobe Awuzie further weakens the secondary. However, the additions of safeties Geno Stone and Vonn Bell could prove crucial, especially given last season’s struggles at the safety position.
Bengals injury list
Player | Position | Game Status | Injuries |
---|---|---|---|
T. Karras | Center | Questionable | Knee |
C. Ford | Guard | Questionable | Undisclosed |
B. Hill | Defensive tackle | Questionable | Ankle |
M. Jackson | Defensive tackle | Injured Reserve | Knee |
A. Mims | Offensive tackle | Out | Pectoral |
D. Smith | Offensive tackle | Injured Reserve | Leg |
B. Robbins | Punter | Injured Reserve | Upper Leg |
D. Ivey | Cornerback | Physically unable to perform | Knee - ACL |
L. Robinson | Cornerback | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed |
C. Evans | Running back | Injured Reserve | Leg |
M. Murphy | Defensive end | Injured Reserve | Knee |
K. Jenkins | Defensive tackle | Out | Thumb |
D. Reader | Defensive tackle | Questionable | Quadriceps |
T. Higgins | Wide receiver | Doubtful | Hamstring |
C. Awuzie | Cornerback | Questionable | Calf |
J. Chase | Wide receiver | Questionable | Rest |
New England Patriots team news
The New England Patriots have moved on from both Jones and Zappe, handing the reins to North Carolina's Drake Maye as their future quarterback. However, for now, veteran Jacoby Brissett will be the one starting the season under center.
Regardless of who's taking the snaps, finding open targets will be an uphill battle. New England lacks a true standout receiver and boasts one of the weakest receiving corps in the league.
The offense will heavily depend on their ground game, with Rhamondre Stevenson (who tallied 1,040 rushing yards on 210 carries last year) expected to shoulder the bulk of the workload. He'll be joined by Antonio Gibson, who was brought in to fill the gap left by Ezekiel Elliott.
On the defensive side, the Patriots should remain competitive in some matchups. The return of former first-round pick Christian Gonzalez, who impressed as a rookie before getting sidelined by injury, will bolster their secondary.
Alongside Jonathan Jones, they form a solid cornerback duo, with Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger adding strength as a dynamic safety pairing. However, the pass rush is a question mark, especially with the absence of key players like Matthew Judon and Christian Barmore.
Patriots injury list
Player | Position | Game Status | Injuries |
---|---|---|---|
K. Bourne | Wide receiver | Physically unable to perform | Knee - ACL |
C. Strange | Guard | Physically unable to perform | Knee |
T. Wheatley | Tackle | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed |
A. Watts | Defensive tackle | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed |
V. Lowe | Tackle | Questionable | Abdomen |
S. Sow | Guard | Out | Ankle |
J. Andrews | Offensive lineman | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed |
M. Mapu | Safety | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed |
A. Gibson | Running back | Questionable | Hip |
S. Takitaki | Linebacker | Physically unable to perform | Knee |
J. Jackson | Wide receiver | Injured Reserve | Knee |
J. Peppers | Safety | Questionable | Hip |
P. Brown | Tight end | Out | Foot |
More NFL news and coverage
- How to watch 2024 NFL preseason games
- NFL 2024 AFC North Analysis, Preview & Predictions
- NFL 2024 AFC East Analysis, Preview & Predictions
- NFL 2024 Top 5 familiar faces in new places
- NFL 2024: Top 5 offensive players poised to breakout
- NFL 2024: Top 5 rookies to keep an eye on
- NFL 2024 Free Agency Tracker: Top 5 Remaining Free Agents