Something happened along the way to the Patriots coming away with the proverbial moral victory.
“Finding a way to win, that’s what it’s all about … that’s what good teams do.”
That was safety Kyle Dugger’s take on pulling out an unexpected win in Cincinnati, against a Bengals team some believe is a Super Bowl contender.
The jury is still out on if the Patriots are in fact a “good” team, but Jerod Mayo’s troops are off to a terrific start with Sunday’s improbable 16-10 win over the Bengals.
While there are still some issues, and no reason to get too giddy about one win, the Patriots played exactly the way they needed to produce a win. And that says something.
“It’s Week 1. We’re living on this right now, but we’re so hyped to move on to the next one,” defensive captain Ja’Whaun Bentley said. “We’ve got that hunger about us, and I love to see that.”
It’s something to feel good about, something the Patriots can hang their hat on.
And there’s plenty more.
Here are 10 reasons to like what transpired in Cincinnati.
1. Jerod Mayo
The inexperienced rookie head coach might have had some people doubting him over some mixed messaging during training camp, but there was no confusion among the players. From Jacoby Brissett on down the line, he had his team believing. Collectively, the Patriots were on the same page for what they were trying to accomplish.
While there were plenty of naysayers on the outside, Mayo stressed that all that matters was what’s on the inside. That resonated with the players.
“We try not to hear anything on the outside and I told those guys all week, ‘It’s all about us in this building,’” Mayo said after winning his coaching debut. “There’s no one going to come in here on a white shining horse and save the day. I said, ‘Look, you guys are here for a reason and that’s all we got. That’s all we need.’”
While Mayo obviously has the buy-in from the players, it’s always good when there’s evidence that the plan he’s mapped out for them, comes to fruition. There’s something to be said about a tough, physical, smart team.
2. Offensive line
The much-maligned group wasn’t perfect. Brissett did endure some punishment ( seven QB hits). But by and large, the job got done. Holes were opened in the run game, (170 rushing yards, 120 by Rhamondre Stevenson), and the pass protection was good enough on the whole to produce enough plays.
While Chuks Okorafor started at left tackle, he was eventually replaced by Vederian Lowe. Michael Jordan, a call -up from the practice squad, played left guard. David Andrews was the center with rookie Layden Robinson and Michael Onwenu at right guard and tackle respectively. That group more than held its own.
The Patriots also effectively utilized rookie Caedan Wallace as an extra blocker.
“From the beginning to the end, really, our offensive line did a great job, led by David Andrews and (Mike Onwenu),” Mayo said. “Those guys did a great job having Lowe here as well. It was good to get him in the game. They were moving bodies and that’s what it’s about.”
3. Jacoby Brissett
This won’t go down in the annals of all-time great quarterback performances, but Brissett did what was necessary to get the win.
He was tough, absorbing hits to make plays, and getting key first downs with his legs. He didn’t make any mistakes. And, he largely delivered when it counted.
While fans want to see rookie Drake Maye, Brissett’s experience really came into play during this win. He ran at the right times and threw the ball away when necessary. He forced one ball to Hunter Henry in the end zone that nearly got picked, but outside of that, Brissett was solid. He was a good game manager.
And that’s exactly what the Patriots needed from their quarterback to pull off the upset.
4. Rhamondre Stevenson and the run game
It’s no secret. The Patriots offense starts and stops with the run game. The pressure is on Stevenson (25 carries, 120 yards) to produce this season to give the offense a chance, and he delivered all game.
But the most telling example came with the Patriots trying to put the game away. With 2:13 to go, clinging to that six-point lead, Stevenson carried the ball four times, bulldozing through the middle, through the gaps, producing two first downs. Game over.
His ability to make would-be tacklers miss and gain extra yards after contact was a godsend in this game. This is the best Stevenson has looked in quite some time.
5. Alex Van Pelt as a playcaller
It wasn’t fancy. But Van Pelt certainly lived up to his billing in this game. Twenty-four pass plays vs. 39 on the ground.
Against the Bengals, one of the worst-ranked defenses against the run last season, it worked.
“I think running the football in this league wins games, wins championships, being able to do that late into the season,” Van Pelt said not long after assuming the role of offensive coordinator.
The first play from scrimmage was a 9-yard pass to Hunter Henry. Van Pelt mixed it up pretty well from there with the Patriots moving the ball with long drives that kept Joe Burrow & Co. off the field. There was a lull in the third quarter, but AVP had a good sense for what to call down the stretch. He even let Stevenson talk him into bulldozing through the gaps and abandoning the wide zone runs with the game on the line.
He heeded the suggestion. And that won the game.
“The (offensive line) was riding them off the ball … I didn’t think we needed to get to the outside zone,” Stevenson said. “So I voiced my opinion on that. I told AVP I think we should just run down hill. He blessed me and did just that.”
6. Turnovers
The Patriots know they have to win the turnover battle each week to have a chance to win. They did just that against a Bengals team that rarely gives the ball away.
While Brissett and the offense didn’t turn the ball over, the defense and special teams units forced three fumbles, recovering two of those. Both were pivotal in the outcome.
Safety Kyle Dugger saved a sure touchdown by punching the ball loose from tight end Tanner Hudson just shy of the goal line in the second quarter. He got picked on the play, but chased down Hudson.
“It was one-last shot to get the ball out at the goal line,” Dugger said. “I just basically gave everything I could to get the ball out and try to strip the ball out, and I was able to have an assist thankfully.”
Joe Cardona also produced a turnover with his tackle on Charlie Jones on a punt return. Both turnovers resulted in points for the Patriots. It was a good sign for all of the units. The trend needs to continue.
7. Defense living up to its billing
They talked a good game, and lived up to it. The unit was dynamite holding Burrow to just 164 yards passing with no touchdowns, not to mention 10 points. The Bengals also rushed for just 70 yards during the loss.
Who says the Patriots defense can’t tame an elite opposing quarterback? Top to bottom, the unit performed like a Top 5 outfit. Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington was aggressive with his play calls, going after Burrow, and the players packed a wallop every time they tackled any Bengal.
Davon Godchaux, talking with MassLive on Friday, pretty much predicted the outcome.
“We can do anything no matter what anybody says about the talent on this team,” Godchaux said. “We’re excited for this matchup. I like our chances. I think the guys on defense are ready to play, ready to compete, ready to get after it.”
The unit only allowed one play of 20-plus yards, which is remarkable with Burrow at the controls.
It should also be noted that Christian Gonzalez, who didn’t have the best camp, did yeoman’s work containing Ja’Marr Chase (6 catches, 62 yards).
8. Matthew who?
Keion White was a force. DeMarcus Covington lined him up all across the line, moved him around pre-snap, and the second-year player was a beast.
There was concern the Patriots wouldn’t be able to generate much of a pass rush after trading top gun Matthew Judon away. The loss of Christian Barmore, who is out indefinitely with blood clots, also figured to hurt the rush up front.
For one game anyway, White (2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits) was a force to be reckoned with and a royal pain to Burrow, who was sacked three times.
“He definitely made a conscious effort to be that dynamic player he wants to be. He just didn’t expect it to happen, or have it be handed to him,” defensive captain Ja’Whaun Bentley said of White. “Keion brings a lot to the table. He’s a dynamic player. I think you guys are just seeing a glimpse of what he’s capable of. I’d say the sky’s the limit for him. A lot of potential.”
9. Complementary football
This was an old-school, three-phrase effort. The Patriots had contributions all across the board offense, defense, special teams – something that would have made Bill Belichick proud.
The defense held an elite quarterback to 10 points, the offense scored just enough, and the special teams chipped in with Joey Slye hitting three field goals, great tackling from Brenden Schooler and the punt return team, and a Joe Cardona-forced fumble recovery by Jaylinn Hawkins.
10. Putting the nail in the coffin
The Bengals drew to within six points with 6:14 still to play. The New England offense went three-and-out the next series, but that’s when the Patriots showed their mettle.
The defense forced the Bengals to punt with a three-and-out. It was a questionable decision for Cincinnati to punt, but the Bengals probably figured with three timeouts, and 2:13 left on the clock, they could get the ball back.
It didn’t happen. Van Pelt went to his bread and butter – Stevenson and the ground game – picked up a pair of first downs, and that was the ballgame.
“Winning as a coach is huge. Once again, not for what it does for me, but what it does for those players out there,” Mayo said. “I just can’t say enough about the players.”
