What the Bengals are saying about the Patriots this week
The Bengals are "on to New England." Wait what?
The Bengals have long been the team that succeeds in the regular season, then wilts in the playoffs. But unless they can stun the Patriots this week, they will have a steep, uphill battle to even make the postseason. But the team does have talent: after all, they started last season 8-0. A.J. Green is among the best receivers in the league, while defensive line tandem Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins present a pass-rushing force for the Patriots offensive line to deal with. Coming off a bad loss, Cincinnati feels urgency to win this week, but know they’ll have their work cut out for them in Tom Brady’s home opener.
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Head coach Marvin Lewis:
- On the Patriots: “This season they’ve done an excellent job in the first quarter, so it’s important we get off to a fast start on the road. It helps with the crowd. With Tom Brady back last week they were very efficient in combining the run, the pass, and doing what he does best. They’ve had zero interceptions as an offense this season. They’ve put the ball on the ground a few times, but haven’t lost it much. Creating field position and the things it takes to win on the road are really important this week.”
- On Bill Belichick: “I see football similarly to the way he does, and you appreciate that about him. He’s a real football person that way; very genuine… You like his ability to adjust the football team, to get them to understand what’s important at the moment, and not worry about last week or next week.”
- On the tight ends: “Both players are good line-of-scrimmage players and good receivers. They have been accomplished as receivers in the league. Martellus [Bennett] has new life, and you can see it in how he’s playing. You like that about him. [Rob] Gronkowski is obviously an exceptional football player.”
Quarterback Andy Dalton:
- On Tom Brady: “He’s so efficient. He gets the ball out of his hands quick. He gets his guys the ball. Guys make plays for him. You can tell he’s got full control over everything they’re doing on offense. He’s so good because he gets all the guys to play for him, regardless of who’s in there. He’s won with a lot of different guys out there. That’s why he’s one of the best.”
- On the defense: When you look at them on tape, they do a lot of different things. Each team they play, they may do something different. So you have to figure out the different looks they have. You have to prepare for all of it. That’s the biggest thing.”
Former Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell:
- On the Patriots: “In New England you can be yourself but you knew it was like, I’m not walking on egg shells but I’m just going to stay in my own lane…In New England, it wasn’t a lot of different personalities. Everybody acting like this, everybody acting like that. But we won, so….”
- On Tom Brady: “He made sure you knew the plays, he made sure you knew where he wanted you to be at, and he was consistent. You knew, as long as I’m in my spot, I’m going to get the ball. As long as I do everything right and I do what I need to do, I’m going to get the ball.”
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