The New England Patriots kicked off the post-Bill Belichick era with a surprising 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, led by new head coach Jerrod Mayo, a former Belichick assistant. The Patriots' defense performed remarkably well, creating turnovers and limiting the Bengals to just one significant play over 20 yards, which left analysts like Marc Bertrand confident in their ability to maintain this level of performance. Meanwhile, Belichick himself is exploring potential coaching opportunities for 2025, with speculation around his fit with teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets, despite recent interest from both the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams for assistant roles that he declined. As the Patriots adapt to life without their iconic coach, they appear to have found a competent quarterback in Jacoby Brissett and a promising offensive strategy, indicating a fresh start may not be as bleak as anticipated. While the Patriots have a long road ahead, the initial signs are positive under Mayo's leadership, and Belichick's future remains a topic of intrigue in the NFL.