The Patriots are hoping that their unexpected victory on Sunday helped to define their brand for the 2024 season and beyond.

In Week 1, New England stunned the football world by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals and winning Jerod Mayo’s head coaching debut with considerable convincingness.

After a, to put it mildly, inconsistent offseason, the big triumph at least temporarily silenced many of the doubters. The Patriots’ decision to fire Bill Belichick was undoubtedly the biggest of the offseason. Expectations were lowered to levels not seen in the region since the 1990s due to a group that seemed to be devoid of potential combined with some careless preseason and training camp play.

On Sunday, the Patriots may have intentionally displayed a “us vs. the world” mentality if that was how it appeared and felt.

Recalling his message to the team from Saturday night, Mayo told SI.com’s Albert Breer, “No one is going to ride on a horse and save us.” “This is all we have and all we need.”

“That is our mentality,” he continued.

In addition, Mayo said, “The only way you change it is winning football games.” He acknowledged that his team had heard the criticism.

If New England loses against Seattle in Week 2, the negativity might then flare up again. However, for the time being, things are going well with Mayo leading the way.

Tom Brady’s unimpressive broadcast debut may live on in the internet’s memory forever.

In his broadcasting debut, Tom Brady might want to double-check the things he mentioned.

Considered the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, the former Michigan Wolverine and New England Patriot star made his debut as Fox Sports’ primary color analyst on Sunday with Kevin Burkhardt. Brady will be a member of the Super Bowl LIX broadcast crew as well.

“We’re present. It’s been a long road. Following his introduction, Brady remarked to Burkhardt, “I’m thrilled to be your partner. Fox has signed Brady to a 10-year, $375 million contract.

The game was overshadowed by the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s antics in the broadcast booth, though. (The Dallas Cowboys triumph 33–17 over the Cleveland Browns.)

Brady had never worked on television, so it was clear that he was anxious. There were a few uncomfortable pauses and he had trouble finishing phrases.

He seemed more at ease as the program went on, even talking about his performance.

“I spent a great deal of years using my body and arm. I get to use my voice now that I’m in a stadium,” the 23-year NFL veteran remarked. “You won’t feel sore when you wake up on Monday morning, as Michael Strahan assured me during the pregame. that brings me joy.”

It can only get better from here, as it was his first day on the job. Sadly, though, the response on the Internet will last forever.

While Brady was making comments about the Cowboys-Browns game, NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson was hosting RedZone at the same time. In the midst of a potentially historic kick, Hanson chastised Brady for his call of it.

“Oh please,” Hanson said. “Brady has gotta get more excited than that in the booth.”

Over the past few years, there hasn’t been much cause for celebration among the New England Patriots fan base as a whole. Their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday offered them hope for a promising future.

The Patriots defeated the Bengals 16–10 thanks in part to their defense and run game. After holding their breath the whole offseason, not knowing what kind of team they would field, the victory allowed fans to finally breathe a little.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett of the Patriots has been associated with the team since his third-round draft selection in 2016. During Tom Brady’s historic four-game suspension in his debut season, Brissett, who is ranked third on the QB depth chart behind Garoppolo and Brady, saw some playing time.

Brissett is now the starter in 2024.

Brissett Jacoby

During the preseason, the Patriots started their old backup quarterback, Drake Maye, as they worked on developing first-round choice Drake Maye in the background.

Although many prefer to refer to Brissett as Maye’s stand-in, it became evident today how much the team—and, more significantly, head coach Jerrod Mayo—believes in him.

Brissett brought up the pre-game pep talk Mayo gave him, which brought him to tears, during the news conference following the game. You’re going to win us this game, man,” Mayo had encouraged him, according to him. You’re going to mess up.”

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett revealed that he had sobbed three times prior to the game, with Jerod Mayo’s pre-game speech being one of those occasions.

“Mayo approached me… He began to giggle before the game and said, “Man, you’re about to win us this game.” You’re going to lose it. ekpERY58d0 on pic.twitter.com

— Talking About Carlos (@LosTalksPats) Brisett would then say to reporters on September 8, 2024, “I had never heard that from a coach, y’know?”

It seems sentimental for a quarterback who has spent the last few years bouncing around the NFL to share his feelings with the media, as Brissett did. Mayo’s remarks, while straightforward in the given context, strike a chord with a quarterback who merely wants to compete.

After so many years, New England media outlets and Patriots supporters grew accustomed to players’ curt, tightly guarded remarks that never really disclosed much. To sum up, it’s good to see a player share their feelings like Brissett did following the game.

Brissett completed the Bengals game with a 15 of 24 passing for 121 yards and no touchdown.