Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) drops the ball on the ground after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the NFL preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. / Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Cincinnati Bengals gave the AFC East-leading New England Patriots a scare, but couldn’t complete its fourth quarter comeback attempt.

Tracking the score and highlights from Sunday's Week 12 game between the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals.

CINCINNATI – The NFL has suspended Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey, an infraction Chase said he didn’t commit.

Week 12 delivers a sneaky-fun AFC matchup as the surging Patriots face a Bengals team missing key playmakers, but still highly fantasy-relevant. With Joe Burrow out and Ja’Marr Chase ruled out, several Cincinnati players get a boost in roles and opportunities.

As Cincinnati has tumbled down the standings, Drake Maye’s MVP campaign has skyrocketed, and a porous Bengals defense should only help his case. That is, if the Patriots don’t allow for a letdown. Here’s what to watch for in Cincinnati: