The New England Patriots are entering the 2024 season after a tumultuous period marked by a four-win season and the firing of Bill Belichick, with rookie head coach Jerod Mayo and a revamped roster looking to turn things around. They face the Cincinnati Bengals in their opener, with quarterback Jacoby Brissett starting despite being outperformed by rookie Drake Maye in preseason. The Bengals are optimistic about quarterback Joe Burrow's health and the potential return of star receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who is seeking a contract extension after missing much of training camp. Both teams are looking to improve from disappointing past seasons, as the Patriots aim to end their playoff drought since 2019 while the Bengals hope to rebound from last year's last-place finish in the AFC North. With a significant amount of salary cap space and a fresh outlook, the Patriots are keen to start this new chapter positively. Sunday's game will be a critical test for both teams as they search for a strong opening to their seasons.