Leading up to this week's matchup, the New England Patriots have wondered whether or not they might face Joe Burrow when they play the Cincinnati Bengals.

Burrow, who practiced in full at one point this week, is close to making his return from a toe injury that has kept him out since Week 2. Facing Burrow would have made things much more difficult on Mike Vrabel's defense.

While the questions have been rising about Burrow's status for the Week 12 showdown, a final decision has been made by the Bengals.

According to a report from longtime NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Burrow will not be playing this week.

"Joe Burrow (toe) will not play against the Patriots," Russini wrote on X. "League sources say that the Bengals made the decision Friday to roll with Joe Flacco for another week, with the hope that Burrow will return to the lineup Thanksgiving night against the Ravens."

As Russini mentioned, the Patriots will instead face Joe Flacco. The 40-year-old quarterback has played solid football since being acquired by Cincinnati in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

In the five games he has played with the Bengals, Flacco has completed 61.1 percent of his pass attempts for 2,268 yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Outside of Burrow, Cincinnati will be playing against New England without another key player. Star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been suspended for this week's game due to spitting at Pittsburgh Steelers' star defensive back Jalen Ramsey in Week 11.

With the news about Burrow being out now official, the Patriots will have an easier path to improving to 9-2 on the season. At this point in time, New England looks the part of a legitimate Super Bowl contender. A win this week would further the team's chances at earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

No game in the NFL is easy to win. Even without Burrow, the Bengals are going to put up a fight. Flacco is more than capable of having a big-time performance and the Patriots need to be ready.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and will be available to watch on CBS.