The Passion of the Patriots

The Patriots came to play tonight. (Jim Rogash - Getty Images)
This game was set up to be the defining game of the Patriots' early season. If they lost, the wheels would fall off the wagon, Brady would retire or be traded, and Belichick would lose his job. If they won, the ship would be righted, Tom would still be terrific, and all would be well in Patriots Nation. With that much riding on this game, the Patriots took the field with an emotion worthy of inspiring movies and riveting stories.

Before the game even started, the Patriots came out with a different feeling. Brady and Garoppolo came out of the tunnel together, Brady high-fived Josh McDaniels, and the pregame motions became precise and focused. Then the Patriots got the ball to start the game. And boy did they start the game. Play after play, Tom lead this charged team down the field. They caught the ball, handed it to the ref, and then went back to the huddle. Brady took it upon himself to pick up yards on the ground and came up with a warrior's cry. This was the Tom Brady we knew and loved. Ridley burst through holes created by angry offensive linemen. And then there was a 6 up on the scoreboard. Edelman and Brady celebrated on the sideline, ending in a Brady spike. Players and coaches were congratulating Brady on his 50,000th yard. This was the team we knew they could be.

The Bengals began the smack talking and pushing, and instead of sitting back and taking it, the Patriots threw it right back at them. The Bengals wanted to get chippy, the Patriots wanted to kick some ass. If not for the referees ineptitude causing the Patriots to lose some momentum, the first half very well could have been 34-0. That was the kind of football we were used to seeing from this team. Patriots drove down the field, scored, kicked off, caused a fumble and scored again. Players were celebrating, jumping up and down, giving each other high-fives, and realizing this is how it feels to win. All over the field, defenders viciously attacked ball carriers and made outstanding tackles.

Even as players were injured and left the field, the new guys came in and carried the same emotion with them. As the game went on, the players kept smiling, kept celebrating with each other, and kept playing good football. The defense didn't fade as they had in the past, and the offense kept the pressure on the Bengals. The 2-2 Patriots made the 3-0 Bengals look like a team not worthy of taking the field. Things were so good that even underwhelming players performed. Chris Jones got a sack, Amendola made a first down catch, and Tim Wright lit it up.

The Patriots went from dead in the water to beating down the last undefeated team in the league 43-17. The coming weeks will showcase the Bills in Buffalo and the Jets in Foxborough. These games should allow the Patriots to prepare for tough games against Chicago and Denver. This intensity, passion, and desire must carry over for the Patriots to continue these winning ways. At this point though, all I can do is envision Gronk spikes, Brady pumping up the offense, and Belichick secretly smiling under his hood.

For game stats, here is a link to ESPN.

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