"Mike Vrabel didn't want to hear about the stats, records, or the Bengals' presumed weaknesses after his team left Paycor Stadium with a 26-20 victory. "That's what happens in this league," Vrabel said after New England's ninth-straight victory. "You need everybody. You go through the season, you go on the road, and it's tough. I know everybody wants to talk about numbers and records. That doesn't mean [expletive].""
"Injuries are unfortunately inevitable in the game of football. But what separates elite teams from the rest of the NFL is oftentimes the depth in place to overcome absences sprinkled across the depth chart. New England has largely managed to overcome what few stings of the injury bug they've received so far this season."
"When Rhamondre Stevenson missed three games with a toe injury, rookie TreVeyon Henderson responded with five touchdowns over a five-day stretch against the Bucs and Jets. Kayson Boutte's presence was missed during the games where he was sidelined with a hamstring ailment, but other wideouts like Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins chipped in with more reps doled out by Josh McDaniels and Co. But it remains to be seen if an already razor-thin depth chart for New England can overcome more injuries at other critical areas - especially in the trenches."
New England escaped Cincinnati with a 26-20 victory that featured heavy physicality and multiple injuries. Mike Vrabel emphasized the difficulty of a long season and the need for every player despite talk of stats and records. The Patriots have relied on backups to cover absences, with TreVeyon Henderson scoring five touchdowns during Rhamondre Stevenson's three-game absence. Kayson Boutte missed time with a hamstring, prompting increased roles for Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins. The roster remains razor-thin in places, and concerns persist about the team's ability to withstand additional injuries, particularly in the trenches.
Read at Boston.com
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