"Jerod Mayo has spent more than a month with his defense, leading the group like he was led during his first two seasons with the Patriots [team stats]. The linebacker and captain is faced with shepherding a unit with an average age of roughly 25 - a tall task for anyone.

So what will be the product the Patriots put on the field Sunday against the Bengals and their varied offense?

"We still don't know," said Mayo, the third-year starter on a defense that includes rookies Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty and, perhaps, Jermaine Cunningham. "We'll know after Sunday. But you go into every year not knowing what you're going to have."

The world will know Sunday. Receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, tight end Jermaine Gresham and running back Cedric Benson are the weapons for a Cincinnati offense that is hoping to improve upon a No. 24 ranking last season."