One story dominates the pregame news surrounding this Sunday’s Cincinnati Bengals game. A controversy swirling around the New England Patriots. That they inappropriately filmed the Bengals sideline a week before the two teams meet.

The incident happened at last Sunday’s game between the Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. The Patriots addressed this in a statement earlier this week. The Patriots state that they sent an independent video crew to the game. As part of a behind-the-scenes feature about the Patriots scouting department. Later stating that they had no other intentions aside from the feature.

In their view, the Patriots unknowingly violated National Football League policy. Through filming the field and sideline from the press box. The Patriots admit that they failed to notify the Bengals and the NFL about their presence. Though the crew was granted access by the hosting Browns. They subsequently turned the footage over to the NFL when questioned about it.

NFL officials are conducting an investigation into last Sunday’s incident. No disciplinary actions have been announced as of early Friday afternoon. Most would give the Patriots the benefit of the doubt if history was ignored. After all, the idea that a perennial playoff contender would try to steal signals is laughable. Especially when it’s against a team that’s 1-12 going into Sunday.

The Patriots reputation doesn’t help them in this situation. Sure, the Patriots have an accomplished history with six Super Bowl titles. However, the Spygate 1.0 and Deflategate controversies lie in the background. Those controversies leave them without the benefit of the doubt. At least in the eyes of many outside of New England.

Meanwhile, the Bengals reportedly aren’t thrilled about this situation. Nevertheless, there’s still a game on Sunday to prepare for. The Bengals will face a hefty challenge from the Patriots. New England comes to Cincinnati after back-to-back losses to contenders. While this Spygate 2.0 controversy swirls in the background.

All of this and their playoff pursuit leaves the Patriots hungry for a blowout win. They stand a good chance a getting such a win against the Bengals. Given how the Bengals have performed throughout this season. Andy Dalton will almost certainly have a hard time against New England’s defense. While Cincinnati’s defense has had their worst games against contenders like the Patriots. Being previously burned by the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Both in blowout home losses earlier this season.

Sunday’s kickoff is at 1 PM Eastern time at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium.