(AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

The Patriots opened the season with a 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to an effective rushing attack and an opportunistic defense that sacked Joe Burrow three times and forced two turnovers, Jerod Mayo won his debut as head coach. 

Here are seven points on the Patriots win. 

1. Stevenson carries the day: The Patriots game plan was obvious. Run the football and lean on the defense. They did that today rushing for 170 yards as a team. Rhamondre Stevenson led the way with 120 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown. He was a bell cow which the Patriots need if they are going to run the football as much as they say they will. The plan was to shorten the game and the Patriots executed it to a tee.

2. Defense was elite: The Patriots defense held Cincinnati to 10 points and 224 total yards of offense. It was an elite performance by a veteran group playing with pride and a chip on their shoulder. The defense has been good in recent years and judging by their performance on Sunday, they are primed for another good season. 

3. Brissett manages the game: Jacoby Brissett did a good job of managing the offense in this game. He made plays with his arm and his legs. The stats were not that impressive. Brissett completed 15-of-24 passes for 121 yards but he took care of the ball and executed the game plan. It is why he is starting.

4. Okorafor and Lowe: The offensive line as a whole did not play bad but Chuks Okorafor and Vedarian Lowe struggled at left tackle. Trey Hendricksen was seemingly getting pressure on every snap. Left tackle is going to be a problem all season long. The offensive staff is going to have to scheme up ways to help these guys. If they do not, Brissett or any other quarterback for that matter may not finish the season. 

5. Keion White was a monster: Keion White gave us a glimpse of what he could become this season if he stays healthy. White finished with 2.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. He was dominate at times and looked unblockable. After trading Matthew Judon, the talk around here centered on whether or not the Patriots could replace his production. Well, after today, the answer is yes. White will be that replacement.

6. Three whistles for AVP: Kudos to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. He and the offensive staff designed a good game plan and the team executed it. Van Pelt also called a good game. He did a great job of mixing and matching personnel and plays. Van Pelt has faced plenty of criticism and doubts about his hiring. At least for this week, he put many of the doubters in their place. 

7. First for Mayo: Jerod Mayo won his first game as the head coach of the Patriots and got the game ball afterwards. It had to feel good for Mayo after an up and down off-season and training camp. The win in many ways validated his hire and silenced some of his critics in the short term.