There were a lot of things to be happy about for Patriots fans after their 38-24 win over the Bengals.. First and foremost, the score is not a true indicator of how close the game was. After returning the opening kick off of the 2nd half for a touchdown, they lead 31-3, so their defense played back and allowed Ochocino to have a monster game (12 catches for 159 yards). The Patriots were in no danger from the 2nd quarter on, but even when the Bengals pulled it to 31-17, the Pats went on a 14 play, 81 yard scoring drive that started from their own 19.

I was very apprehensive going into this game, and even though the defense played very well, it remains to be seen how they will do when they have to shut down the opposing team, something that was never an issue yesterday. Still, it’s a good monday when your favorite team wins. ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss does his 3 up, 3 down after every game… no not to cramp his style to much I will have baked to prefection and burnt.

BAKED TO PERFECTION

Wes Welker- When he went down in the season finale last year, I was hoping that MAYBE he would be ready by week 8. However, there he was week 1, looking like… Wes Welker. For all of his greatest, one thing he has not down with NE is catch TDs. Going into yesterday he had 15 TD catches with the Patriots total, out of 346 receptions (4%ish), so of course he catches 2 TDs yesterday in 8 receptions. Perhaps this was a message to Moss? Regardless, if this team is going to succeed, Wes Welker needs to be a factor. On sunday, that is exactly what he was.

Brandon Tate- 97 yard kick return to the house, it’s been a long time since the Pats had a legit threat on the returns. Also tack on 4 catches for 36 yards, not a bad day at all.

Henr-Kowski- that’s right Aaron Hernandez + Rob Gronkowski = Hern-Kowski. 2 catches, 46 yards and a TD combined. Gornkowski was the guy in the end zone, and early on Hernandez took advantage of a soft spot in coverage for a 45 yard catch and run.

BURNT

Stephen Gostkowski- After a gave with far more positive than negative, the Goose missed 2 FGs, so he gets to stand alone burnt. I am sure if a re-watched the game, I could nitpick some of the defenders, but no one stood out too badly watching the game live.

Letting the Pie Cool

Like I said, the positives WAY outweighed the negatives in this game. Guytons pick 6, Chung was everywhere, the O-line did not let off a sack, Pats averaged 5.1YPC, this really was a good game. Oh, and Tom Brady was brilliant. Sure he had a couple bad throws, but when you are that beautiful, we let them slide. Now it’s off to New York… in case you didn’t know… I HATE THE FUCKING JETS.

Crumbs from around the league…..

-Well, the Colts won’t have to worry about going undefeated this season. This was a huge win for the Texans, and with the Titans and Jaguars all winning, the Colts are alone in the basement. Peyton Manning is too good to write them off, but word is Sanders is done (again), so maybe this could be the year that they fall off.

-Not a good start to the Kolb era in Philly. Even before he was injured, Kolb looked lost. The offense was completely stagnant with him behind center. The fact that Mike Vick nearly brought the Eagles back by himself is sure to ignite a QB controversy. Even worse was the injury toll that the Eagles racked up… not a good day in the city of brotherly love.

-Hopes are high in Miami, but if all they could muster against the feeble Bills D is 15 points, maybe they aren’t quite “there” yet.

-There were some high hopes in the Bay area, the 49ers were a near consensus pick to win the NFC Weak, er West. Well they looked like poop on rye versus the Seahawks. Things were equally as bad for the Raiders, who many thought would be respectable this year, as the Titans humiliated the Raiders. Only 1 week, but a REALLY bad week it was.

-The Steelers/Falcons game was really ugly football at it’s finest. Then  the Skins/Cowboys played a game that John Merrick would have called ugly.