Why the Patriots’ surprise win over the Bengals was much more than just a big win – Boston Herald

CINCINNATI – However this Patriots season is remembered, as part of a rebuild or a resurgence or a bridge to nowhere, they will always have that sound.

That roar from the visitors’ locker room in Cincinnati on Sunday echoed as if it had been trapped deep in their lungs for years. A primal scream, an unleashed roar, a sound that could only mean one thing.

Victory.

Sweet victory.

Despite the highest expectations, the Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10 in Week 1. It was a big “M” moment for a team that is redefining itself.

This victory gave the players joy. Why they play.

“It’s hard to win in this league and there have been times in my career where I’ve taken it for granted. Enjoying the win was something I had to learn,” said captain David Andrews. “So we’re going to enjoy this game.”

It provided a proof of concept for a new coaching staff. Why they coach.

“I feel like everyone knew what we were trying to do — even the Bengals,” Rhamondre Stevenson said. “So if we go out there and still do it, run the ball efficiently and keep them off the field as much as we did, I think we did a good job.”

It provided that unique thrill that anyone who has ever rooted for a team, especially an underdog, knows, who was dismissed, doubted, and written off before the clock even started ticking. Why you watch.

“Even though people would like to tell us to ignore the noise,” Hunter Henry admitted, “we all see that everyone doubted us.”

The pursuit of that thrill was the reason the Patriots who stayed kept going; especially players like Andrews and Henry, who suffered the most over the last two years. At the hands of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge’s offense. At the hands of each of the 13 losses last season.

Because of the misery and hopelessness, Henry considered fleeing New England and Andrews considered retirement.

“We don’t want to dwell on the past, but it is what it is. Last year sucked. None of us had fun,” Henry told the Herald. “We play this game to win no matter what. And that’s the beauty of it.”

But moments like Sunday are the reason Henry came back. The joy, the brotherhood, the affirmation, everything.

After Mayo was hired, he shared the team’s plans to sign and draft a quarterback in the offseason in hopes of getting Henry to re-sign. He talked about turning things around and restoring a proud franchise in a new way.

Henry returned and more promises were made, like the one Mayo made to Jacoby Brissett before the game on Sunday.

“I was crying when I got to the stadium,” Brissett said. “Mayo came up to me before the game and started laughing. He said something like, ‘Man, you’re going to win us this game. You’re about to get going.’ I’ve never heard a coach say that before. That meant a lot to me. … That’s definitely a moment I can’t take for granted.”

Mayo made promises in team meetings last week. If the defense played to its potential, the offensive line blocked well and the running backs got into the gaps hard enough, the Patriots would win.

Stevenson ran for 120 yards and scored a touchdown. The offense let the final 2:13 minutes pass. The Patriots won.

“When the coaches come out in Week 1 and say we’re going to rely on our conditioning and physicality, that means a lot. And most importantly, to finish the game the way we finished it,” Andrews said. “As an offensive lineman, that’s exactly what you want.”

Keeping promises builds buy-in. It builds trust. It binds a team to a coach, just as Belichick bound the Patriots to him at the start of the dynasty. A master with unparalleled foresight who turned every player in the locker room into a staunch supporter.