We need to talk some football. ASAP.
I know this isn’t my usual sport, but I deemed this too important, leading me here.
Today is Sunday, September 8th, 2024. The “Bill Belichick-less” New England Patriots just beat a Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals team.
Read that again.
A rather unknown New England Patriots team, several years removed from Tom Brady and now without Belichick and defensive standout Matthew Judon, just beat the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 16-10. Mind you, the Bengals had both Joe Burrow and Ja’Maar Chase healthy.
A new era has begun in Foxboro. Somewhere, I just know that Julian Edelman is smiling.
Let’s start with the man pictured above, Jerod Mayo. Mayo, a former Patriots player himself, became the heir apparent when owner Robert Kraft and Belichick had a mutual breakup at the end of their 24th season together.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett went 15/24 and threw for 121 yards. He and new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt had some really good drives, but the hero of today was running back Rhamondre Stevenson, rushing 25 times for 119 yards and scoring the lone New England touchdown.
The defense had shut out Cincinnati in the first half. Shoutout defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. The defense had 3 sacks, with Keion White sacking Burrow 2.5 times and Ja’Whaun Bentley getting half a sack. The defense plugged the rushing game, holding the Bengals to 70 rushing yards.
Chancellor Palpatine summed this game up perfectly: “A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.” At no point in the days leading up to this opening game did I think the Patriots stood a chance.
Boy oh boy did they prove me wrong.
Why am I counting them out so early? Does Mayo know what he’s doing? Are we back? Did the Patriots just put the league on notice?
I don’t have any of these answers this early in the season, but I like what I’ve seen so far. Yes, I know it’s only been one game, but if this is a sign of things to come, then I’m all in.
Next week, the Seattle Seahawks pay Gillette Stadium a visit. I hope that the guys are well prepared for a receiver like DK Metcalf and a running back like Kenneth Walker.
Like I said, I’m all in. In the wise words of Tom Brady, "LFG.”
