Seemingly flaunting their superiority over the Bengals on Monday, the Patriots used two linebackers on offense at one point, while the home team ended the game with only two healthy linebackers for their 30th-ranked defense.
On third-and-goal from the 1 late in the first quarter, the Patriots inserted linebackers Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau. Vrabel caught his ninth career touchdown pass as the Bengals fell behind 10-0.
By the time the carnage was over and the Bengals dropped to 1-3 with a 34-13 loss, the Bengals had just two linebackers standing, neither of whom were with the team in the preseason. Dhani Jones, claimed off waivers from the Saints two weeks ago, and Anthony Schlegel, released by the Jets on Sept. 2, left the game as the only healthy Bengal linebackers.
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The Cincinnati Post - Linebacker shortage worsens