How Patriots Players Reacted To Jerod Mayo’s First Win

It was the first game in the post-Bill Belichick era, and according to the masses, the Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to mop the floor with the Patriots. But New England ignored the outside noise, flipped the script and won its first game of the season under new head coach Jerod Mayo. It was the first time the club had won its season opener since the 2020 campaign.

After the victory, Patriots players showered Mayo with his first Gatorade bath, and owner Robert Kraft gave him a game ball in the locker room. Mayo is ready to move on to the next game on the schedule, but that doesn't stop his players from being thrilled to get him his first victory.

"Winnings always is good," defensive end Keion White told reporters after the win, per team-provided video. "But doing it for Mayo was something special for sure."

White added: "All the hard work we put in, the running, the conditioning, the hills ... we were working hard, and it's starting to show because we had to dig deep today even as defense and come in clutch in the fourth quarter."

The Patriots' defense forced two fumbles and sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow three times in the win. Safety Kyle Dugger punched the ball out of Tanner Hudson's hand as he was driving toward the Cincinnati end zone late in the first half. Dugger told the media it was a "great feeling" to see Mayo earn his first win and looks forward to building on the success.

"Finding a way to win, that's what it's all about," Dugger said, per team-provided video. "May not be the prettiest. We don't necessarily always know how it's going to be, but finding a way to win is what good teams do, and that's what we hope to continue to do."

The defense held the Bengals to 13 first downs and 224 total yards. Jacoby Brissett was solid on offense, completing 15-of-24 passes for 121 yards without a turnover. The veteran quarterback directed an 80-yard drive in the first quarter, including six first downs and capped by Rhamondre Stevenson's three-yard touchdown run.

"Mayo got a game ball for sure," Brissett told reporters, per team-provided video. "His first one, which was deserved. I don't think people understand the plan he put in place with us this week and the work that he foresaw for us to get to this point. ... The communication was clear, and we came, and we executed that plan."

The Patriots will look to build on their Week 1 victory when they host the Seattle Seahawks in their home opener at Gillette Stadium next Sunday.