The Patriots' ground attack was immense, totaling 236 yards on 41 carries, the highest rushing total for the team since Dec. 26, 1993. Rookie Laurence Maroney led the charge with 125 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Then there was fellow running back Corey Dillon, returning to the city in which he spent his first seven NFL seasons, totaling 67 yards on 17 carries and one score -- and then being rewarded with a game ball, which had players roaring in the locker room.
On the flip side, the Patriots' defense -- playing without two starters in cornerback Ellis Hobbs and safety Eugene Wilson -- held the Bengals' high-flying offense (ranked fourth in points scored entering the game) by coming through in key situations. The Bengals were 2 of 11 on third down, a defining stat in the game.
The Patriots fell behind, 6-0, early in the first quarter, took a 14-6 lead into halftime, then appeared to be in danger when rookie Stephen Gostkowski missed a 48-yard field goal early in the third quarter. The Bengals responded with a 62-yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to 14-13, but the Patriots scored the game's final 24 points.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who often speaks about the goal of playing a complete game that combines offense, defense, and special teams, felt the victory was sweet because of the circumstances the team faced.
``We were banged up, we had kind of a tough week here," he said. ``They really battled through it and had a great week of practice and transferred it over to the field. It was a real good effort, I'm real proud of the way they played and worked."
The coaching wasn't too shabby, either.
Before the game, running back Heath Evans said a list of experts' predictions was listed in the Patriots' locker room, which helped stir the emotions of some players. All the picks were in the Bengals' favor.
