New England Patriots vs Cincinnati Bengals Match Player Stats (Sep 08, 2024)

“The game isn’t played on paper.” This old football adage proved true again as the New England Patriots vs Cincinnati Bengals match player stats showed a shocking Week 1 upset. Despite being 7-point underdogs, New England silenced 66,214 Bengals fans with a 16-10 victory at Paycor Stadium on September 8, 2024.

Was this the start of the Jerod Mayo era in New England or just another case of Cincinnati’s notorious early-season struggles? The stats paint a clear picture of ball control, timely defense, and critical Bengals mistakes that football fans won’t want to miss.

Stevenson Dominates Ground Game with 120-Yard Performance

The Patriots rushing attack proved unstoppable, with Rhamondre Stevenson delivering a statement performance:

• 120 rushing yards on 25 carries (4.8 yards per carry)
• 1 touchdown in the second quarter
• 3 receptions for 6 additional yards
• 0 fumbles despite 28 total touches

Stevenson’s consistency was remarkable. His longest run went for 17 yards, showing he wasn’t reliant on breaking one big play but instead consistently gained positive yardage throughout the contest. This marked his first 100+ yard rushing game since December 2022.

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt crafted a perfect game plan, using Stevenson to control the clock and keep Cincinnati’s potent offence on the sideline.

Patriots Defence Stifles Burrow: Complete Defensive Stats Breakdown

New England’s defensive front seven controlled the line of scrimmage all afternoon:

• 3 sacks for -10 yards
• 2 forced fumbles, both recovered
• Limited Cincinnati to just 70 rushing yards
• Held the Bengals scoreless in the first half

Keion White emerged as the Patriots’ defensive star:

• 2.5 sacks
• 2 tackles for loss
• 3 QB hits
• 1 forced fumble
• 4 total tackles (3 solo)

White’s breakout performance showcased his immense potential as a disruptive force. His constant pressure forced Burrow into quick throws and disrupted the timing of Cincinnati’s normally potent passing attack.

Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley led the team with 12 total tackles (7 solo) and added 0.5 sacks, demonstrating his importance as the defence’s field general.

Quarterback Stats Comparison: Efficiency vs Volume

A side-by-side examination of the quarterback performances reveals interesting contrasts:

Jacoby Brissett (Patriots):

• 15 completions on 24 attempts (62.5%)
• 121 passing yards (5.0 yards per attempt)
• 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• 7 rushes for 32 yards (4.6 average)
• 1 sack taken for -1 yard
• 75.2 passer rating

Joe Burrow (Bengals):

• 21 completions on 29 attempts (72.4%)
• 164 passing yards (5.7 yards per attempt)
• 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• 4 rushes for 15 yards (3.8 average)
• 3 sacks taken for -10 yards
• 86.0 passer rating

While Burrow posted better completion percentage and passer rating numbers, Brissett’s game management proved more effective in the context of the Patriots’ overall strategy. His ability to avoid negative plays and contribute with his legs on key third downs was crucial to maintaining possession.

Brissett spread the ball efficiently, connecting with 7 different receivers. Tight end Austin Hooper led with 31 receiving yards on 2 catches, while K.J. Osborn had a team-high 3 receptions.

Critical Turnovers: The Statistical Game-Changer

Ball security proved the decisive statistical category:

Patriots: 0 turnovers Bengals: 2 turnovers (both fumbles)

Two moments completely changed the game’s trajectory:

1. With Cincinnati driving in the red zone during the second quarter, tight end Tanner Hudson fumbled at the Patriots’ 1-yard line. Safety Kyle Dugger forced the fumble, which cornerback Marcus Jones recovered and returned 17 yards.
2. In the third quarter, Bengals punt returner Charlie Jones fumbled, giving New England possession at the Cincinnati 25-yard line. The Patriots converted this into a Joey Slye field goal, extending their lead to 13-0.

The Bengals’ turnover issues proved especially shocking considering the team lost only two fumbles during the entire 2023 regular season, according to detailed season statistics.

Possession Dominance: Patriots Control the Clock

New England’s offensive approach centred on ball control:

• Total possession time: 34:03 (vs Bengals: 25:57)
• 64 total offensive plays (vs Bengals: 48)
• 17 first downs (vs Bengals: 13)
• 6-of-15 on third downs (40%)

This possession advantage proved essential in limiting opportunities for Cincinnati’s explosive offence and maintaining game control. The Patriots had two drives of 12+ plays, including a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter that consumed 7:20 of game clock.

Bengals Offensive Players: Bright Spots Despite Defeat

Despite the loss, several Bengals offensive players delivered notable performances:

Ja’Marr Chase:

• 6 receptions on 6 targets (100% catch rate)
• 62 receiving yards
• 10.3 yards per reception
• 28-yard long reception

After a quiet first half with just 2 catches for 7 yards, Chase found his rhythm in the second half, but it proved too late to completely turn the tide.

Zack Moss:

• 44 rushing yards on 9 carries
• 1 touchdown (Cincinnati’s only TD)
• 4.9 yards per carry
• 2 receptions for 17 yards

Moss showed effectiveness when given opportunities but saw limited carries as the Bengals played from behind most of the game.

Special Teams Impact: Field Position Battle

Joey Slye (Patriots):

• 3-for-3 on field goals (32, 35, 37 yards)
• 1-for-1 on extra points
• Accounted for 10 of the Patriots’ 16 points

Evan McPherson (Bengals):

• 1-for-1 on field goals (51-yard long)
• 1-for-1 on extra points

The punting battle featured an extraordinary moment from Cincinnati’s Ryan Rehkow, who boomed an 80-yard punt and averaged 64.5 yards on his 4 punts. Patriots punter Bryce Baringer was equally effective, averaging 50.0 yards on 5 punts with 3 downed inside the 20-yard line.

Scoring Progression: How the Game Unfolded

The Patriots built their lead methodically:

• Q2, 14:58: Rhamondre Stevenson 3-yard rush (Slye kick). Patriots 7, Bengals 0
• Q2, 0:00: Joey Slye 32-yard field goal. Patriots 10, Bengals 0
• Q3, 11:34: Joey Slye 35-yard field goal. Patriots 13, Bengals 0
• Q3, 1:10: Zack Moss 5-yard rush (McPherson kick). Patriots 13, Bengals 7
• Q4, 8:46: Joey Slye 37-yard field goal. Patriots 16, Bengals 7
• Q4, 6:14: Evan McPherson 51-yard field goal. Patriots 16, Bengals 10

The Patriots never trailed and maintained a multi-score advantage for most of the game. This forced Cincinnati into a more pass-heavy approach that played into New England’s defensive strengths.

Mayo’s Coaching Debut: Statistical Success

First-year head coach Jerod Mayo couldn’t have asked for a better statistical blueprint in his debut:

1. Dominant time of possession (34:03)
2. Perfect turnover differential (+2)
3. Strong rushing attack (170 yards)
4. Disciplined play (5 penalties for 40 yards)

This victory showcased Mayo’s coaching philosophy, emphasising fundamental football: ball control, defensive pressure, and capitalising on opponent mistakes. The game plan perfectly utilised the Patriots’ personnel strengths while minimising potential weaknesses.

Bengals’ Early Season Struggles Continue

This defeat continues a troubling statistical trend for Cincinnati under head coach Zac Taylor, whose record in season openers fell to 1-5, with a concerning 1-10 mark in the first two weeks of NFL seasons, according to NFL’s official Week 1 analysis.

The loss raises questions about the team’s early-season preparation and execution, particularly given their championship aspirations.

Key Statistical Takeaways for Both Teams

For the Patriots:

• The offensive line, a preseason concern area, allowed just one sack while creating consistent running lanes
• Their 170 rushing yards established physical dominance
• Zero turnovers demonstrated discipline in execution
• 3 sacks and 2 takeaways showed defensive playmaking ability

New England’s defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington’s game plan perfectly exploited Cincinnati’s early-season timing issues. The Patriots’ front seven consistently won their matchups, particularly on critical downs, forcing Burrow to throw before receivers completed their routes.

For the Bengals:

• The offence appeared disjointed, particularly early
• Two fumbles lost matched their entire 2023 regular season total
• 70 rushing yards reflected their inability to establish ground control
• 3 sacks allowed showed protection issues for Burrow

Cincinnati offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher will need to address the protection breakdowns that allowed consistent Patriots pressure. The absence of receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) clearly affected the Bengals’ timing, particularly on third down situations where they converted just 36.4% of opportunities.

Looking Ahead: What the Numbers Suggest

This game provides statistical evidence of how the Patriots might approach the 2024 season: controlling the clock with Stevenson, playing opportunistic defence led by emerging star Keion White, and relying on Brissett to manage games efficiently without turnovers.

The Patriots now face a significant test against the Buffalo Bills in their upcoming divisional matchup. If they can maintain this defensive intensity and rushing effectiveness, Mayo’s squad could surprise AFC East opponents who may have written them off during preseason predictions.

For Cincinnati, addressing their ball security issues and slow starts becomes an immediate priority. Their statistical pattern of early-season struggles under Taylor requires fundamental solutions. The Bengals will need to quickly regroup before facing another physical AFC North opponent in the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will surely attempt to replicate New England’s defensive pressure tactics.

Fantasy Football Impact Analysis

Patriots Fantasy Standouts:

• Rhamondre Stevenson: His 25 carries, 120 yards and TD point to RB1 potential going forward. The coaching staff clearly views him as their offensive centerpiece.
• Jacoby Brissett: Despite modest numbers, his turnover-free play and rushing contributions (32 yards) make him viable in deep 2QB leagues.
• Patriots D/ST: Created turnovers, limited scoring, and generated 3 sacks – worth considering as a streaming option against turnover-prone teams.

Bengals Fantasy Disappointments:

• Joe Burrow: The 164 passing yards and zero TDs fell well short of expectations for managers who drafted him as a top-tier QB.
• Ja’Marr Chase: His second-half production helped, but 62 yards without a score disappointed those who spent first-round picks on him.
• Bengals Backfield: The split workload (Moss: 9 carries, Brown: 3 carries) suggests this could be a committee approach to monitor before confidently starting either back.

FAQs: Patriots vs Bengals Week 1 Stats and Analysis

The New England Patriots vs Cincinnati Bengals match player stats show more than just a Week 1 result. They illustrate the blueprint for how a well-coached team with clear identity can overcome talent disadvantages through discipline, physicality, and precise execution. For Cincinnati, the lesson is equally clear: talent alone doesn’t win in the NFL when fundamentals falter. As both teams move forward in the 2024 campaign, these statistics will serve as either a warning sign or a foundation, depending on which sideline you occupy.