CINCINNATI (AP) — Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, Joey Slye kicked three field goals and the New England Patriots won in Jerod Mayo’s coaching debut, beating the erratic Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 on Sunday.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was given the Patriots’ nod as the starter ahead of first-round draft pick Drake Maye, wasn’t exceptional, but he held onto possession and got the Patriots moving forward against a Cincinnati team that got off to an early start.
The nine-year veteran directed a methodical 80-yard first-quarter drive that included six first downs, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Stevenson.
Cincinnati went scoreless on its first three offensive possessions. Joe Burrow drove the Bengals into the red zone in the second quarter and came away empty-handed.
Brissett completed 15 of 24 passes for 121 yards passing. Burrow was 21 of 29 passing for 164 yards.
