Bengals vs. Patriots With Craig Sandlin, Zac Taylor Yet To Name Starting QB, College Football Weekend Preview, Best Bets Of The Weekend

On today's show Craig Sandlin stops by to talk Bengals vs. Patriots, Zac Taylor has yet to name a starting QB, College Football Weekend Preview ft. USC vs. Oregon and BYU vs. Cincinnati + Best Bets Of The Weekend

As the Cincinnati Bengals limp into Week 12 with a 3-7 record and a three-game skid, all eyes are on quarterback Joe Burrow's toe. Sidelined since Week 2's Grade 3 turf toe injury against the Jaguars—requiring September surgery—the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year has missed eight starts. Acquired veteran Joe Flacco has stabilized the offense (12 TDs, three INTs), but Cincinnati's 34-12 drubbing by the Steelers exposed vulnerabilities, especially sans suspended star Ja'Marr Chase.

Burrow's 21-day practice window opened November 10, initially targeting a mid-December return. Yet, he's ahead of schedule. Wednesday marked his first full participation since the injury, including 11-on-11 drills. He repeated the feat Thursday, taking first-team snaps. Head coach Zac Taylor, on 700 WLW radio, dodged commitment: "I wish I had a decision today. I’m going to take in all the information." Friday's final injury report and Taylor's presser will clarify, but optimism brews—Burrow expressed eagerness for Thanksgiving's Ravens clash, yet insiders like James Rapien argue suiting up Sunday builds rhythm without rust.

A return electrifies Bengals fans. Burrow's pre-injury efficiency (58.3% completion, two TDs in two games) could exploit New England's secondary, ranked 15th in pass defense. Facing 9-2 Pats sensation Drake Maye (AFC East leaders on an eight-game heater), Cincinnati needs Burrow's magic—last year, he led the NFL with 4,918 yards, 43 TDs. Playoff odds sit at +2000; a win vaults them to 4-7, holding the wild-card tiebreaker over Jacksonville.

Risks loom: Re-injury could derail 2026, but Taylor prioritizes Burrow's mindset: "He's of the mindset that he wants to play." Teammates like Tee Higgins buzz: "He's practicing like Week 1." If cleared, expect a cautious debut—maybe 50-60% snaps—sparking Who Dey hope against a dynasty-reviving Pats squad. Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Paycor Stadium could redefine Cincinnati's fading season.

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