Pats Stun Bengals on the Road with 16-10 Win
Week 1 of the NFL season always brings surprises, and this year was no exception. Whether it's heavy favorites losing or underdogs pulling off shocking wins, it's the unpredictability that keeps the league exciting. This Sunday, the New England Patriots etched their name into Week 1 history with a stunning 16-10 upset over the 7.5-point favorite Cincinnati Bengals. In his first game as head coach, Jerod Mayo had his team playing in true Patriots fashion, with both the defense and offense stepping up.
New England's defense dominated from start to finish, flying around the field with speed and physicality, forcing two Cincinnati turnovers. Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase was largely held in check, finishing with 62 yards but never finding his rhythm. The Patriots' dynamic pass rush, led by second-year player Keion White, made life difficult for Joe Burrow all game. White recorded 2.5 sacks, four tackles, and three quarterback hits, proving that the team's faith in him, especially after trading veteran pass rusher Matt Judon, was well-placed. Burrow, despite completing over 70% of his passes, was held to just 164 yards with no touchdowns and was sacked three times.
Cincinnati found some success running the ball with Zach Moss, but for some reason, they abandoned the run after Moss received only nine carries. Outside of Moss, the Bengals' run game struggled, and the offense failed to gain favorable field position consistently. This was highlighted by Cincinnati’s poor third-down conversion rate, going just 4-for-11, and their failure to convert on a key fourth-down attempt. The Patriots' defense, led by White, lived up to its preseason billing as a formidable unit, flying under the radar due to offensive concerns but proving capable of being a game-changer.
On the offensive side, the Patriots leaned heavily on a strong rushing attack led by Rhamondre Stevenson. The fourth-year running back delivered a standout performance, rushing for 120 yards on 25 carries and scoring a touchdown. His tough, physical running style kept the chains moving and made Jacoby Brissett's first start back with New England much smoother than expected. While not flashy, Brissett was efficient, completing 15 of 21 passes for 121 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, doing just enough to secure the win.
Though the offense has room for improvement as the season progresses, it’s important to note that this receiving corps is young, filled with first- and second-year players. With time, they’ll develop, but if the defense continues to play at this high level, the Patriots will remain competitive against the league’s best teams. Head coach Jerod Mayo should be more than pleased with his team’s performance in Week 1, as well as his own in his debut as HC. Expectations were low for New England to start the season, but a win like this will certainly raise some eyebrows. This team has the potential to compete every week, and I’m excited to see how their young stars develop moving forward.