Bill Belichick has described the Cincinnati Bengals as a "pretty good" team ahead of their game against the New England Patriots this weekend.
The AFC North side have won two of their first four games of the season, losing twice by four points or less.
The Patriots head coach told reporters: "I think they're pretty good. They lost a very close game to Chicago in the opener and they certainly could have won last week against Cleveland. It wouldn't have taken too much.
"I think this is a team that's a couple plays away from being 4-0. I think they're going to win their share of games this year, we just hope it's not this week. I think they're a good team and I think they've played well.
"They could easily be 4-0. Take two or three plays a little bit different than what they were and you'd be looking at a 4-0 team, which is the way we look at it."
The Patriots are unbeaten so far this season.