Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) at New England Patriots (2-2)

Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass. – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: Cincinnati has not allowed a sack in three games, which serves the Patriots well in their plan to drop six or seven and play a bend-don’t-break brand of defense. The big stage has not been a friend to Bengals QB Andy Dalton, who is 2-7 in primetime, but he is learning not to force the issue thanks to a heavier commitment to running the ball with Giovani Bernard and rookie bulldozer Jeremy Hill.

The Patriots are just 2-2 after Monday’s loss and rank 29th in total offense and 30th in passing offense. Quarterback Tom Brady is yet to throw for 250 yards in a game and twice failed to break 200. But Bengals cornerback Adam Jones said they are still the Patriots.

Building a lead looks enticing to Cincinnati’s smothering defense — No. 1 in the NFL with 11 points allowed per game. The Patriots are .500 after Monday’s loss and rank 29th in total offense and 30th in passing offense. Brady’s connection with TE Rob Gronkowski appears fluid and there are no playmakers in his ragtag receiving corps.

The Bengals have been surprisingly suspect against the run, so look for them to focus on that first in an attempt to get the Patriots off schedule with some third-and-long situations, where the Bengals can show off creativity by disguising coverages and blitz packages against New England’s offensive line.

*Matchup to watch – Bengals LB Emmanuel Lamur: A special assignment awaits Lamur — shadowing Gronkowski — but early returns indicate he’s up to the task. Lamur is an excellent cover linebacker, but he hasn’t spent much time running with explosive tight ends.

*Player spotlight – Bengals WR Marvin Jones: In his first action of the season, Jones could be busy as WR A.J. Green encounters Revis Island. The Bengals are likely to chip their way down the field behind a power running game before getting their playmakers the ball in the open field.

*Fast facts: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is 1-4 against the Patriots. … The Bengals are 20-2 all-time when Dalton has a passer rating of at least 90. … Brady has a 33.4 passer rating in the fourth quarter this season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

It has been a decade since the sky was falling around Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who takes the opportunity to yet again prove he’s smarter than the rest of ’em.

*Our pick: Patriots 24-23