Patch Patriots Roundup: Moving Past The Lateral And On To The Bengals

FOXBOROUGH, MA — What a doozy that was.

Josh McDaniels won the matchup of mentor vs. teacher, but it took one of the strangest — and probably dumbest — plays in recent NFL history, if not general NFL history to make it happen.

The Patriots lost to the Raiders last week, of course, and if you haven't seen how, well, you're in for either misery or joy:

Of course, in typical Patriot fashion, the team is trying to move past it as they prepare for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL in the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here's what to know ahead of the Christmas Eve matchup:

Bengals Change Travel Plans

Most of the country is experiencing wicked winter weather, and the Bengals are among the travelers who are looking for new travel plans ahead of the storm.

According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the team left on Thursday night ahead of inclement weather in the area.

Playoff Odds

Espn's Football Power Index has New England's change at the playoffs falling under 13 percent, as the team currently sits in third place in the AFC East, and 7-7 overall.

Obviously, a win against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend would have helped those chances. Still, the AFC East controls the last playoff spot, with the Dolphins currently qualifying for the spot, and the Patriots and Jets right behind them.

Odds and Ends

• Kickoff: Saturday, Dec. 24, 12 p.m.
• Network: NFL Network
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Weather forecast: Sunny, with a high near 24. Southwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.