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Former players react to Patriots' dramatic Week 1 win over Bengals

There was a mixture of shock, excitement and flat-out bewilderment over the New England Patriots upsetting the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener at Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

The Patriots are a rebuilding team with a first-year head coach, a transitional starting quarterback, a questionable offensive line and the lack of a true No. 1 receiver. Yet, they somehow went on the road and knocked off a Joe Burrow-led team viewed by many as a future playoff contender.

How is that even possible?

Perhaps the Patriots are a much better team than people expected under newly-hired head coach Jerod Mayo.