FOXBORO — The quick reply is that they don’t know.
Joe Burrow may return Sunday in an try to start saving what’s left of the Bengals season when the Patriots go to for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Or Cincinnati may flip once more to 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who’s began the Bengals’ final 5 video games whereas Burrow recovers from a turf toe damage.
Both approach, the Pats know they gained’t study which quarterback they’ll face till Cincinnati makes an official announcement.
So within the meantime, they are going to proceed hold busy by making ready for each quarterbacks.
“It’s extra about issues we are able to management. We will’t management that,” Patriots security Jaylinn Hawkins mentioned Thursday. “We’ve obtained to regulate what we are able to and keep locked in, keep poised and prepared.”
As a spot starter, Flacco is 1-4 with a 63.4% completion proportion, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s sustained the deep passing factor of Cincinnati’s offense in Burrow’s absence, although the Bengals will take a success Sunday with out star extensive receiver Ja’Marr Chase who’s been suspended one sport for spitting on Steelers security Jalen Ramsey final week. If Flacco performs, the Patriots perceive the significance of making use of strain on Flacco, whose efficiency underneath duress has been dramatically worse than when he’s afforded a clear pocket.
“You’re not going to trick him,” Pats coach Mike Vrabel mentioned this week. “You’re going to must cowl him, beat him, rush him. The ball comes out fast. (He) doesn’t appear to get rattled very simply. It’s not one thing that’s going to occur.”
Burrow, a top-5 quarterback when wholesome, additionally prefers to play from the pocket. He’s lengthy ranked among the many most correct passers and quickest processors within the league. It’s unclear how a lot rust Burrow could have if he does play Sunday, 4 days earlier than his reported goal date of returning on Thanksgiving evening when the Bengals will play at Baltimore.
Earlier than he was injured in Week 2, Burrow went 21-of-36 for 189 yards, two touchdowns and 0 interceptions in Cincinnati’s first two video games. However whether or not it’s a rusty Burrow or an growing older Flacco, the Patriots aren’t taking both calmly whereas they run out the clock till kickoff.
“Flacco’s been round for a very long time, so he has plenty of expertise. And (Burrow) performs at a excessive stage,” Hawkins mentioned. “They each have totally different components of their video games that make them nice.”
