Patriots Run Wild in Rout of Bengals
Patriots 38, Bengals 13
Sunday, October 1, 2006; 9:48 PM
CINCINNATI -- Rookie running back Laurence Maroney got New England's offense rolling like old times. Maroney ran for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns Sunday, restoring balance to the Patriots' off-keel offense and setting up a 38-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals that had a familiar feel.
"Kind of like the Patriots you guys were used to seeing," smiling quarterback Tom Brady said.
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Only a week earlier, New England (3-1) was so pitiful on offense that Brady uncharacteristically waved his arms in frustration during a loss to Denver. The only time he lifted his arms Sunday was to signal another Patriots touchdown.
Maroney got the biggest ones.
Playing on the field where teammate Corey Dillon broke the single-game rushing record for Cincinnati in 2000, Maroney dodged and stiff-armed his way through the Bengals (3-1) on touchdown runs of 11 and 25 yards that set the tone.
"We knew coming in that the running game was going to play a major part in the game," said Maroney, who ran for only 18 yards against Denver. "That was No. 1 on our list _ get the running game going."
He made three tacklers miss on his second scoring run, which put New England up 21-13 and allowed Brady to forget his frustrations and do what he does best _ efficiently take a defense apart. He was 15-of-26 for 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns, setting up the Patriots' highest-scoring game in two seasons.
"Yes, this is a statement game for us," safety Rodney Harrison said. "It felt good to come in here and play Patriots football. This is what I'm used to around here."
The final touch came from Dillon, who was tormented by losing during his seven seasons in Cincinnati.
His 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter put New England up 31-13 and drew another round of boos and catcalls. Dillon then reared back and threw the ball high into the same stands where he tossed his helmet, cleats and jersey after his final game for the Bengals in 2003.
Dillon was inspired for his homecoming.
"I think you could see it all week," coach Bill Belichick said. "He had some excitement and energy for this game. He always runs hard. It was just a little something extra for him to come back here."
