Patriots beat Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10, giving head coach Jarod Mayo his first win on Sunday. Jacoby Brissett was named starter before the start of the regular season. The nine-year veteran played well and kept the drives going on offense. He finished the game 15 of 24 for 121 passing yards. Rhamondre Stevenson was just fantastic for the Patriots in the game. He rushed for 120 yards and scored the opening touchdown in the first quarter.
Patriots' kicker Joey Slye scored three field goals in the game.
The Patriots' defense was outstanding and pressured Burrow and the Bengals offense. Kyle Duggar stripped the ball from the Bengals' tight end, Tanner Hudson, at the 9-yard line, and Marcus Jones scooped the ball and ran it back 17 yards. Because of contract negotiations, Bengal's number one star receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, was a limited preseason participant. He decided to play and had six catches for 62 yards.
Jarod Mayo got the game ball from owner Robert Kraft after the win over the Bengals.
The Patriots' next opponent will be Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday. It's New England's first home game of the season, but it won't be easy, and they need to be focused. The Seahawks are coming off a 26-20 win over the Denver Broncos.
To me, the keys for the Patriots will be to:
1. Geno Smith, don't let me get comfortable in the pocket
2. Take away the big targets for Smith, which would be wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett
3. Stop Running Back Kenneth Walker III
4. Score points early in the game
5. Close the game out
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