Jacoby Brissett leads Patriots to victory in emotional return to starting lineup

Jacoby Brissett was named the New England Patriots starting quarterback 10 days before their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals . The emotions behind the decision finally hit him on game day. “I think I cried three times before the game,” Brissett said postgame.

“My emotions were definitely high. It’s definitely a moment that I just can’t take for granted. These things don’t come by often.



And like I said, I don’t take it for granted.” Sunday’s season opener marked start No. 49 for Brissett in his nine-year NFL career.

But, it was the first time he’s started a game since Week 11 of 2022 as he’s primarily served as a backup. “I cried when I got to the stadium, I cried when (Jerod) Mayo came up to me before the game and started laughing. He’s said, ‘Man, you’re about to win us this game.

You’re about to ball out,’ and I have never heard that from a coach and that meant a lot to me. And then I cried when I got out there and they were going out there on offense,” said Brissett. Mayo’s message rang true, as Brissett quarterbacked New England to a 16-10 upset victory to open their season.

The veteran quarterback did not light up the stat sheet, as he completed 15-of-24 passes for 121 yards and no touchdowns. But, Brissett was calm working against the blitz and picked up three first downs with his legs — including two third-down conversions on eventual scoring drives. “He just played like a pro — very calm and cool,” tight end Hunter Henry said.

“It was a hostile environment, very loud, and he brought a lot of energy in there, and I feel like he handled it really well — check, throws, timely third down pickups — it was a good one.” “He made plays with his legs, plays with his arm,” Mayo added. “He’s a tough guy.

He took some hits in the game, but he did everything we asked him to do. We came out of here with a victory.” While Brissett may need to do more in the passing attack down the road for the victories to continue, the veteran did his job on Sunday.

That was enough for New England to leave Cincinnati with a W. “It was awesome,” 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. To win a game on a road in victory formation .

.. it doesn’t get much better than that.

Just proud of the work that we put in.”.