CINCINNATI (AP) — Geno Stone, the veteran presence in the middle of the NFL's worst passing defense this season, took a lot of satisfaction in his interception return for a touchdown Sunday.
The Bengals safety has struggled with tackling and coverage this season. But he played his best game in Cincinnati’s 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots.
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Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone, left, celebrates with teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (81) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson runs from Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“I felt like I needed it (given) the past few weeks I had,” Stone said. “I felt like I wasn’t playing up to what I should be playing at. And today, I feel I showed what I’m capable of, and who I really am.”
On his interception, Drake Maye tried taking a shot down the field on a trick play and overthrew Hunter Henry. Leading up to the game, Bengals coach Zac Taylor praised the way Maye has been protecting the ball this year. The second-year starter only had five picks in 11 games.
Stone was playing zone coverage deep down the field and anticipated where the ball was going.
“We were just in a man defense and just went ‘empty,’ and I was reading the quarterback, really,” Stone said. “I saw the free runner go over the top and he overthrew it, and I just took it from there.”
Stone’s pick was the first turnover by the Bengals’ defense since Week 7. Cincinnati had consistently poor performances since that game and defensive coordinator Al Golden and Taylor have emphasized that forcing more turnovers could get the unit back on track.
They also stressed the importance of the returns after turnovers. Stone was able to take his return to the end zone.
“I’m really excited to see that,” Taylor said. “Finishing (an interception) in the end zone is something we’ve been talking about like crazy. It’s going to come to us. Finish it in the end zone. We’ve got to finish through the back end line. All of the things we’ve been talking about, he did.
"He’s one of those guys who’s going to keep fighting for us.”
Stone’s big game was about more than the turnover — he also recorded a career-high 13 tackles. His biggest one came on a goal-line stand in the third quarter.
On that series, the Bengals’ defense faced nine goal-to-go plays and forced a turnover on downs at the 1-yard line.
“We’re showing what our real identity is,” Stone said. “It took a while — it took a lot — but we’re finding guys in the right spots, and we’re all just playing with heart right now. Guys are flying around, we’re owning up to all the mistakes we had early in the season and we’re all just playing together right now.”
The difference in the final score was a pick-6 thrown by the Bengals’ Joe Flacco. The defense was only responsible for allowing 19 points Sunday. The unit tackled better than it had previously, and there were more splash plays on the defensive line.
It also marked the first time since Week 1 that the Bengals had allowed fewer than 27 points.
Still, the Bengals were picked apart over the middle of the field. They also couldn’t force the Patriots to punt on their final drive in the fourth quarter, which ended up preventing the Bengals from being able to kick a tying field goal when Cincinnati got the ball back in the final few minutes.
The Bengals fell to 3-8 with the loss and now have a quick turnaround leading up to a road Thursday night game against a Baltimore Ravens team that’s tied for first place in the AFC North.
“I know I’m hurting a little bit, but you’ve just got to get your body ready,” Stone said. “You’ve got a short week, so I know the coaches are going to get a good game plan (ready) for us and get us ready for the Ravens. You know what type of team they are, and it’s the AFC North, so we’ve got to get ready for them.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone, left, celebrates with teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (81) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson runs from Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
What a difference a year makes.
Home teams are 7-1 entering Friday in the conference semifinals. Detroit is up 2-0 on Cleveland, Oklahoma City is up 2-0 on the Los Angeles Lakers, New York is up 2-0 on Philadelphia and San Antonio got a 1-1 split with Minnesota.
In other words, games went largely as seedings suggested they would.
That wasn't the case last season, when home teams went 2-6 in Games 1 and 2 of the conference semifinals. This is only the third time in the last 16 postseasons when home teams went 7-1 to start Round 2.
On Friday, it's a pair of Game 3s: New York at Philadelphia and San Antonio at Minnesota.
— Game 3, New York at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. EDT (Prime)
Series: New York leads 2-0.
Odds: 76ers by 1.5.
An overlooked part of New York's Game 2 win: After three consecutive blowout victories by the Knicks going back to Round 1, they dug deep in the fourth quarter — holding Philadelphia to 4 for 19 shooting in the final 12 minutes on Wednesday night.
— Game 3, San Antonio at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. EDT (Prime)
Series: Tied 1-1.
Odds: Spurs by 4.5.
Expect a bounceback game from Anthony Edwards, if his knee allows. He was never in rhythm in Game 2 (at least, not the way he was at times in the Game 1 win) and the Timberwolves were minus-33 in his 24 minutes.
— Game 3, Detroit at Cleveland, 3 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)
Series: Detroit, 2-0.
Odds: Cleveland by 4.5.
The Pistons have won five consecutive postseason games for the first time since 2008 — and three of them were while facing elimination in Round 1. Cleveland is now 2-10 in conference semifinal games over the past three seasons.
— Game 3, Oklahoma City at LA Lakers, 8:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)
Series: Oklahoma City, 2-0.
Odds: Oklahoma City by 8.5.
The Lakers are furious with elements of the officiating right now, and that might go one of two ways in Game 3. They'll either come out inspired on Saturday and make this a series, or the anger could work against them.
— Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97 for 2-0 series lead.
— Thunder 125, Lakers 107 for 2-0 series lead. The Lakers are angry.
A breakdown of this season's NBA awards:
— Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year: DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans.
— Hustle Award: Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte.
— Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.
— Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City.
— Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.
— Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston.
— Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta.
— Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas.
— Executive of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston.
Among the announcements still to come:
— Most Valuable Player: Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama or Denver's Nikola Jokic.
— Coach of the Year: Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff, San Antonio's Mitch Johnson or Boston's Joe Mazzulla.
Defending champion Oklahoma City (-165) is favored to win the NBA title, according to oddsmakers.
The Thunder are followed by San Antonio (+325), New York (+800), Detroit (+1500), Minnesota (+5000), Cleveland (+6000), Los Angeles Lakers (+10000) and Philadelphia (+10000).
Favorites are 34-22 through Thursday in the 2026 NBA playoffs, a .607 winning percentage that might look pretty good on paper.
That is, until one looks at other recent playoff seasons.
Underdogs are on pace to have their best winning percentage in a playoff season in more than a decade. The last time underdogs won outright this often was the 2014 playoffs, when they won 44.9% of the time.
— Sunday: NBA draft lottery.
— May 10-17: NBA draft combine.
— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.
— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.
— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).
— June 23: Round 1, NBA draft
— June 24: Round 2, NBA draft
“LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I've ever seen.” — Lakers coach JJ Redick, on how LeBron James is officiated.
— LeBron James has attempted five free throws in the first two games of the series against Oklahoma City. It's the second fewest he's ever taken in the first two games of any of his 57 career playoff series. He took four in Games 1 and 2 vs. Golden State in 2023.
— The Pistons are 25-4 this season when Duncan Robinson makes at least four 3-pointers.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona, top, fouls New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns during the second half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1), front, handles the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2), middle, and forward-center Victor Wembanyama (1), back, defend during the second half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and fans celebrate a basket in the second half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, defends second half of Game 1 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto, Friday, May 1, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of Game 6 in the first round of an NBA basketball playoffs series in Toronto on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid celebrates following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics after the Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Jim Davis)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) get into an altercation during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates a scores against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates with fans after Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, celebrates as Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves walks off after the Rockets defeated the Lakers in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
San Antonio Spurs forward/guard Keldon Johnson (3) celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrates after scoring against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Fans watch Portland Trail Blazers player introductions before Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, right, tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr. during the second half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George (8) and Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) reach for a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. dives for a loose ball during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) goes after a loose ball against Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 27, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) scores against Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama reacts after a shot during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Portland Trail Blazers, in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards kneels on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle dunks during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) sits on the court after sustaining an injury during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, left, goes up for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona during the second half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, center, wears street cloths on the bench as he sits out Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff cheers on the Detroit Piston during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes over Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sits on the court after a hard fall during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gestures to the crowd in the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Toronto Raptors in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Toronto Raptors guard Ja'kobe Walter (14) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reach for the ball in the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Cleveland, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to his son guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Tristan da Silva (23) celebrate after a win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer watches in the closing minutes of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game between the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks to make a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
