Unlike the Carolina Panthers, the New England Patriots defied expectations and got a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. As a result, the team received a surprise ranking in the latest NFL analysis.
In their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, Keion White made a significant impact on the Patriots’ defense, showcasing his potential as a key player moving forward. The Patriots, who invested a second-round pick on the former Georgia Tech standout, needed a strong performance from him, especially after losing Matthew Judon to a trade.
White delivered with an impressive stat line, recording 2.5 sacks, four tackles, and three quarterback hits. His ability to disrupt plays was evident, particularly against Bengals right tackle Trent Brown, resulting in a crucial fumble early in the game. This performance was instrumental in limiting the high-powered Bengals offense, featuring stars like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, to just 10 points.
According to Pro Football Focus, White earned a remarkable grade of 90.3, making him the highest-graded player for the Patriots in Week 1. His speed and power allowed him to consistently pressure the quarterback, raising hopes for his continued development throughout the season.
New England Patriots Receive Surprise NFL After Week 1
After getting a win in Week 1, the Patriots have received a surprise boost in the rankings, according to a pair of reports from Bleacher Report and ESPN’s Mike Reiss ahead of Week 2.
“Not a lot was expected of the New England Patriots in 2024—as evidenced by the fact they opened the season in the basement of these power rankings. The Pats were heavy underdogs in their Week 1 matchup with the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Apparently, someone forgot to tell the Pats.
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux told reporters that the team was doing its best to block out all the outside negativity, instead trying to adopt the hard-nosed mentality of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.
“We’re doing a good job not listening to what the naysayers are saying outside about the Patriots. Because at the end of the day, the game still has to be played within the white lines. That’s why you have to love the game of football,” he said. “There are going to be obstacles during the season, there is going to be adversity, and I feel like we have the right guys to overcome it. And it starts with the head coach, of course. Just being a tough coach and understanding we’re going to do hard things. Also, smart. He played linebacker, in the middle of the field, made all the calls. It’s just the aspect of understanding his players when it comes to being a head coach, but putting his player hat on, too.”
It showed on Sunday. New England won in the trenches on both sides of the ball, with Rhamondre Stevenson rushing for 120 yards and the Pats defense putting the clamps on Cincinnati most of the game.
New England still isn’t a good team. But for one week at least, the naysayers have been silenced,” the Bleacher Report article stated.
“The first-year head coach had his team ready to play in Cincinnati after running what nine-year veteran QB Jacoby Brissett said was one of the most challenging training camps he has experienced.
Mayo noted that conditioning and controlling the line of scrimmage would be deciding factors in Week 1, and the players responded with a performance that included 39 rushing attempts, two forced fumbles and one fourth-down stop.
Mayo received a Gatorade bath on the sideline courtesy of veteran DTs Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale and then received a game ball from owner Robert Kraft in the locker room,” Reiss wrote.
In Week 2, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Patriots, both teams coming off wins. The Seahawks narrowly defeated the Broncos, while the Patriots impressed by shutting down the Bengals.
As the Patriots prepare for their next challenge against the Seahawks, the focus will be on whether the team can replicate their performance, especially against the projected contenders. In any case, New England fans will be eager to see how the whole roster will rise up to the challenge ahead of Week 2.
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