CINCINNATI – The Bengals fell flat on their face Sunday in the 2024 opener. Now they just hope the opener isn’t a sign of things to come.
Rhamondre Stevenson ran 25 times for 120 yards and a touchdown and Joey Slye converted three field goals as the New England Patriots stunned the Bengals, 16-10, in the season opener before 66,214 at Paycor Stadium.
Tanner Hudson fumbled at the Patriots 2 yard line on his way in for a score in the second quarter while Charlie Jones fumbled a punt early in the second half as the Patriots took advantage of sloppy execution from the Bengals.
Following a team-record 80-yard punt from rookie Ryan Rehkow, the Patriots marched down the field for the first points of the game.
New England held Cincinnati’s offense to a pair of three-and-outs to start the game while dominating the time of possession with an effective, time-consuming 14-play, 80-yard drive.
The drive was capped off by a 3-yard Stevenson run into the end zone untouched for a 7-0 Patriots lead.
After replay overruled a 15-yard touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone for Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson caught a pass and was running toward the goal line when Kyle Dugger stripped the ball at the Patriots 2 and Marcus Jones returned it to the New England 18.
Zack Attack!!!
📺: #NEvsCIN on CBS/@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/xQpJD8W6Yv
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 8, 2024
The Patriots then drove to the Cincinnati 14 over the final five minutes and added to their lead with a 32-yard Joey Slye field goal, making it 10-0 New England at the half.
Joe Burrow completed 10-of-13 passes but for just 70 yards. The Patriots had 11 first downs in the first half while holding Cincinnati to just four.
The Bengals held the Patriots to a three-and-out, but Bengals returner Charlie Jones fumbled the ensuing punt and New England recovered at the Cincinnati 24. The Bengals held to a 35-yard Joey Slye field goal and a 13-0 New England lead.
