NFL Reportedly Investigating Whether Patriots Illegally Videotaped Bengals Play-Calls

Hello darkness, my old friend.

The last 24 hours have gone anything but favorable to the New England Patriots as they had their 21-game win streak at Gillette Stadium snapped on Sunday at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs...and suspect officiating.

On Monday, things got worse, as it was reported that the NFL is conducting an investigation into whether a Pats staff member was recording the Bengals' play-calls during their clash against the Browns on Sunday.

Of course, New England travels to Cincinnati in Week 15, and what makes these allegations all the more damning is the fact that this isn't the first time the Patriots have violated the NFL's policy of gaining a competitive edge, for lack of a better term.

Let's take it back to the 2007 investigation into the franchise, a probe that was subsequently and famously coined "Spygate," when New England was accused and later disciplined for videotaping defensive signals of the New York Jets.

At this stage, things are being worn close to the vest, but the Bengals are evidently disturbed and have reached out to the league office about an inquiry into their assertions.

Adam Schefter reported that the Bengals spotted an individual donning New England apparel and notified the NFL, which apprehended the video.

The Patriots, on the other hand, claim that the footage is simply a "press-box feature of the advance scout."

We'll obviously provide more information as its made available, but for now this looks like a huge misunderstanding.