Good evening, Patriots fans (or probably good morning, since most of you might be reading this Monday morning)! Well, it’s safe to say that the New England Patriots have turned their game around with this huge Sunday Night win over the former undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. After all the criticism and questions in the media (from fans, haters, analysts, etc.), we really didn’t know how the Patriots would respond after that debacle in Kansas City. Not only did New England win this game, they DOMINATED and it looks like the Patriots are almost becoming the team we once knew.
The Patriots started with the ball and man were they ready. It has been a while since I’ve seen Tom Brady this angry but he was not taking any more crap from fans, media, haters, anyone! With some sweet passes and running the ball himself, Brady helped the Pats move down-field. New England finished that drive with a Stevan Ridley touchdown. My jaw literally dropped because I was that amazed at how quick they put up 7 on the board. The Bengals tried to respond with a 50+ yard field goal but Mike Nugent’s kick was too short. So what did the Patriots do? Simple, they marched down the field again! Brady found Rob Gronkowski for a big gain but they significance of that play is that it put Brady over 50,000 career passing yards. Congrats, TB12! That same drive ended with Brady finding Rutgers alum tight end Tim Wright in the end zone for another Pats touchdown. Up two scores, I really liked what we were doing on offense. Even the defense was great but they took too many penalties. Those penalties helped Cincinnati get one field goal. But New England responded with a field goal from Stephen Gostkowski. On the ensuing possession, Darrelle Revis stripped the ball away from AJ Green and the Patriots recovered the ball! This was a huge motivation boost for him and the Pats defense because Green is probably one of Revis’ toughest assignments all year, so this was a big plus. The Pats took advantage of that turnover by adding a field goal at the end of the half.
The second half started off a bit shaky for the Patriots. After Pacman Jones returned the ball deep inside NE territory, the Bengals took advantage with Andy Dalton finding another Rutgers alum, Mohamed Sanu, for the touchdown. But the Pats drove down the field and Brady finished it with a touchdown pass to Gronkowski. The blowout started on the ensuing kickoff – former Patriot Brandon Tate lost the football on the return, Kyle Arrington recovered it, and ran it for a touchdown (Arrington made a play???)! Dalton did respond though by finding Green for a touchdown but only because Revis left temporarily with an injury (Logan Ryan had to cover Green…come on who wins that matchup?). Gostkowski later added 2 field goals and another after Duron Harmon recovered a fumble which Arrington caused (do work Arrington – we see you!). That would be all. Your final score: Cincinnati Bengals 17, New England Patriots 43!
As Patriots fans, all we really wanted was a win because we knew coming into this game, though it was a home game, it would be a challenge because the Bengals were the only undefeated team in the NFL. They earned that too because that team is extremely talented and still really scary. New England not only won the game, they delivered a blowout to its fans at Gillette and beyond. Though the officiating was atrocious tonight, I just want to see the Patriots take fewer penalties. But I’m still satisfied because all aspects of the team (passing, rushing, defense, special teams) were excellent. This game will be a huge motivation boost for this team and I am excited to see how they play in Buffalo next week. Until then, take it easy Pats fans!
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