When the New England Patriots secured a win in Week 1, it looked like all of the discussions about this being a down year were overblown.
The Patriots marched into Cincinnati, considered Super Bowl contenders by many before the season, and took care of business, dishing the Bengals their first of four losses through seven games. Their offense looked serviceable by Rhamondre Stevenson's standards, their defense held Joe Burrow to under 200 passing yards, and the excitement was buzzing through the New England area.
Oh, what a difference two months make.