The New England Patriots are now 7-8 on the season, after a wild second-half comeback came up just short in a 22-18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Scroll below for a recap of the top highlights from the game.

Stevenson Fumbles, Bengals Recover

The Patriots’ comeback came that close. But in the end, Rhamondre Stevenson could not maintain ball security. The Bengals ripped the ball out and recovered, giving themselves the ball back with 55 seconds left in regulation. It’s gonna take a miracle for the Patriots to win now.

Patriots Recover Fumble

The Patriots have the ball back with a chance to take the lead. Matthew Judon rips the ball out from Ja’Marr Chase, and Marcus Jones falls on it to give the Pats the ball back on the Bengals’ 43. An incredible turn of events, as the Bengals have come up empty on the scoreboard and turned the ball over three times, allowing the Patriots to get back in it.

Patriots Within 4 After Flukey Meyers TD

The Patriots are really in the game now. They’re down just four points after a wild play, as Mac Jones’ deep ball attempt is deflected into the hands of Jakobi Meyers, who walks it in for a touchdown. However, Nick Folk’s extra point attempt is no good once again, so it’s 22-18 Bengals.

Good for the Patriots to make this game interesting in the second half, as they’ve now scored 18 unanswered points. But Folk’s missed extra point there is a potential killer. They now need to score a touchdown if they get the ball back again.

Bengals Miss Field Goal

The Patriots crowd even has life right now. The Bengals just came up empty on their latest offensive possession, as Joe Burrow’s third-down pass attempt clangs off the hands of Trenton Irwin, then Evan McPherson’s field goal try is no good. It’s still 22-12 Bengals.

Can Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne continue the momentum they showed on the Pats’ previous possession? If they can score again, that would put some pressure on Burrow and the Bengals to close strong on their next possession.

Patriots Back In It

Suddenly, we have ourselves a ballgame. The Patriots are still down 10 points after a failed two-point conversion, but a touchdown pass from Mac Jones to Kendrick Bourne has made it 22-12 Bengals.

Jones and Bourne have given the Patriots offense a spark in the third quarter. Bourne has three catches for 59 yards and the touchdown.

Patriots Finally Score Points

It took defense to do it, but the Patriots are finally on the board. Marcus Jones picks off Joe Burrow and takes it all the way for a touchdown, making a guy miss along the way. The extra point is no good, so it’s now 22-6 Bengals.

The Patriots sent six rushers on the play toward Burrow, including Kyle Dugger up the middle, and Burrow throws up a duck while Ja’Marr Chase kept running, so Jones was all alone for the easy interception. You’d think it’s a sign of life for the team, but the Patriots offense hasn’t gotten anything going and it’s still a two-possession game.

Patriots Can’t Do Anything With First Possession Of Third Quarter

The offensive futiltiy continues for the Patriots. Another punt, with the Bengals getting the ball back up 22-0.

Tyquan Thornton dropped what would’ve been a 40-plus-yard catch on a deep ball from Mac Jones, which especially hurt since the offense is desperate for a spark.

Bengals Go Up Three Scores

The Bengals are back in the end zone. Joe Burrow hits Trenton Irwin for his second touchdown of the game, and this time the extra point is good to make it 22-0 Bengals.

Shaun Wade was in coverage for the Patriots on the play. This was Burrow attacking the weakest point and getting an easy score. Cincinnati takes that lead into the half.

Suddenly, A Patriots Interception

Joe Burrow’s pass attempt for Tyler Boyd is intercepted by Devin McCourty over the middle. The Patriots finally keep the Bengals off the scoreboard. The only downside of McCourty’s pick? He didn’t take it for a pick-six. The Pats offense now has the ball at their own 15-yard line, with no real signs of life shown to this point in the game.

Bengals Add 3 More Points

Joe Burrow dropped an absolute dime to Trenton Irwin, and another to Ja’Marr Chase, to set up the Bengals down by the goal line. However, the Patriots hold them to a field goal this time. The attempt is good from Evan McPherson, who was off to a rough start, making it 15-0 Bengals.

Bourne Makes Big Play

Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne finally checked in for his first snap of the game. He took a jet sweep for a 29-yard gain. Unfortunately, the Pats can’t do anything more with this possession, and end up punting for the fourth time so far today. Bengals get the ball back with another chance to go up three possessions before halftime.

Bengals Score Another TD, Miss Another PAT

The Bengals offense just drove down the field, again. Joe Burrow hit Trenton Irwin for a 23-yard score to make it 12-0 Bengals.

After missing another extra point attempt (the football looks like a cinder block when in the air), the Patriots were flagged for unnecessary roughness, which set up the Bengals at the 1-yard line. They elected to instead go for two points, but THAT attempt was also unsuccessful. A nice stand by the Patriots defense to prevent the points at the end of the drive, there, but they are now down two scores, regardless. Is the offense ready to play catch-up?

Bengals Score Easy Touchdown

Joe Burrow just led a five-play, 78-yard touchdown drive that looked pretty easy. It’s complete to Tee Higgins for a nine-yard score. Evan McPherson’s extra point is no good, as the ball looked heavy in the frigid weather. But it’s now 6-0 Bengals.

Burrow completed a 39-yard pass to Higgins earlier in the drive to help set up Cincy on the Patriots’ half of the field. Higgins had little trouble making the catch against smaller cornerback Marcus Jones in coverage.

Sports Hub Patriots Podcast | Big-Picture Thoughts For Week 16
(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

WATCH: Patriots-Bengals Game Preview