Why Jacoby Brissett cried three times before win over Bengals

The emotions that came from the Patriots’ win against the Bengals on Sunday were easily visible from the television broadcast and social media posts that surfaced after the game.

There was shock and joy from coach Jerod Mayo as he was doused with a cooler full of Gatorade after securing his first career win. There was excitement from safety Jabrill Peppers who was bouncing, yelling, and screaming “that’s what the (expletive) we do” as he ran off the field and back into the tunnel.

But, the emotions churning inside of starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett before the game were hidden from view.

Nearly a decade after being drafted by New England, Brissett finally won the Patriots’ starting quarterback job on his second go-around with the team.

The hours leading up to the field brought strong feelings, he said.

“I think I cried three times before the game,” Brissett said. “I cried when I got to the stadium, cried when Mayo came up to me before the game and he started laughing. He was like ‘man, you’re about to win this game, you’re about to ball out’.

“I never heard that from a coach and that meant a lot to me,” Brissett added. “Then I cried when I got out there when we were going out there on offense. My emotions were definitely hot. It’s obviously a moment that you can’t take for granted. These things don’t come by often and like I said, I don’t take it for granted.”

Brissett produced four quarters of turnover-free football, going 15-for-24 with 121 yards passing with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Rhamondre Stevenson posted 120 yards on the ground, averaging almost as many yards per carry (4.8) as Brissett did on completions (5.0).

However, the passing game moved the ball without costly mistakes and it was enough for the win. It was a big step forward for an offense that got derailed too many times by turnovers from Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe last season.

Brissett praised the offensive line, which only allowed one sack and helped pave the way for the run game.

“Like I said earlier this week, everybody is talking about our o-line,” Brissett said. “We know in this room how confident we are in that group … my hat’s off to that o-line and what (offensive line coach) Scott (Peters) did with those guys. I know they’re hungry to get back out there and do it again next week but I’m super proud of those guys.”

The Patriots handled their first regular-season game nicely. It was good to see the hard work from the preseason pay off, Brissett said.

“That was awesome, man,” Brissett said. “That’s a great team win right there in all three phases of the game. Everybody stepped up when we needed them to step up. End of the game, on the road, getting in victory formation, it doesn’t get much better than that. Just proud of the work that we put in and the plan on both sides of the ball.”