The New England Patriots stunned many individuals after they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, a staff some anticipate to compete for the AFC title, in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
Working again Rhamondre Stevenson had 120 speeding yards and a landing, and their protection prevented the Bengals from being environment friendly in third-down conditions.
That effort moved FOX Sports activities host Kevin Wildes to rank the rebuilding Patriots above the supposed playoff contenders.
“Here’s my bar. The Patriots are literally better than the Bengals,” Wildes mentioned on “First Things First.”
“Here’s my bar. The Patriots are literally better than the Bengals.”
— @kevinwildes reacts to @getnickwright‘s newest Tiers pic.twitter.com/hpwBg89QsQ
— First Issues First (@FTFonFS1) September 11, 2024
Wildes shouted out second-year Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, giving him credit score for serving to to close down the Cincinnati offense.
Nonetheless, this seems like a typical Week 1 overreaction.
Sure, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t throw any landing passes, and sure, it seemed just like the wrist he injured final season was nonetheless giving him hassle.
However New England simply doesn’t have the expertise to have an actual shot at making the playoffs.
Jacoby Brissett is the beginning quarterback as an alternative of No. 3 general decide Drake Maye, and although he performed effectively two years in the past for the Cleveland Browns when he stuffed in for Deshaun Watson, he isn’t the kind of signal-caller who can take a staff to the postseason.
The Patriots even have a scarcity of dependable playmakers as their pass-catchers mustered a complete of 121 yards in Week 1, and their protection is a piece in progress regardless of its robust preliminary displaying.
In the meantime, the Bengals are attempting to choose up the items after accidents destroyed final season, and all of it begins with Burrow being wholesome and returning to type as a reliable Professional Bowl-level quarterback.
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