We’re only in the early part of the NFL season, but already a major upset has eliminated nearly half of all participants in survivor pools.
The New England Patriots surprised Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals with a 16-10 victory on Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Ohio. The Bengals had been heavy favorites, according to BetMGM.
As a result of the Patriots’ win, 43.59% of entries in Yahoo Sports survivor pools were eliminated. New England built a 10-0 lead by halftime, with Rhamondre Stevenson scoring a 3-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. They extended their lead to 13-0 after Joey Slye hit a 35-yard field goal in the second half, adding to a 32-yarder made just before halftime. Although the Bengals scored late in the third quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run from Zach Moss following a 90-yard drive, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Patriots, who held on for the win.
Joe Burrow completed 21 of 29 passes for 164 yards in the loss. Moss had 44 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Ja’Marr Chase, despite a holdout and not having a new contract, recorded 62 receiving yards on six catches. The Bengals, now 1-10 under head coach Zac Taylor in the season’s first two weeks, will face the Kansas City Chiefs next week.
For the Patriots, Stevenson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was 15 of 24 for 121 yards, marking the first win for new head coach Jerod Mayo, who replaced Bill Belichick this season.
The Bengals were the most popular pick in survivor pools this week, with over 10% of participants choosing them. The New Orleans Saints, with just over 10.5% of the vote, won comfortably against the Carolina Panthers. The Buffalo Bills, the second-most popular pick, narrowly defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-28 after an early deficit. Had the Cardinals won, another 13% of participants would have been eliminated.
