In a surprising turn of events, the New England Patriots pulled off a major upset against the Cincinnati Bengals, knocking out a staggering 43.59% of participants in Yahoo Sports survivor pools. The game took place on Sunday afternoon at Paycor Stadium Ohio, where the Patriots claimed a hard-fought 16-10 victory.

The Patriots started strong, taking a commanding 10-0 lead at halftime. Rhamondre Stevenson kickstarted their scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. The lead was extended to 13-0 in the second half when Joey Slye kicked consecutive field goals, one from 32 yards at the end of the first half and another from 35 yards.

Although the Bengals managed to find the end zone in the third quarter with Zach Moss's 5-yard touchdown run, it was too late to mount a comeback. The Patriots held their ground, securing the upset win and eliminating a significant portion of survivor pool entrants.

Despite the loss, Joe Burrow of the Bengals put up a respectable performance, completing 21 of 29 passes for 164 yards. Moss contributed 44 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who played despite contract negotiations, recorded 62 receiving yards on six catches. Under head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals' struggles continue, with a 1-10 record in the first two weeks of the season. They now prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in their upcoming game.

On the Patriots' side, Rhamondre Stevenson played a pivotal role in their triumph, accumulating 120 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett went 15-of-24 for 121 yards, contributing to the team's first win under new head coach Jerod Mayo, who succeeded longtime coach Bill Belichick this season.

The Bengals had been the overwhelming favorite in survivor pools, with more than 10% of participants banking on their victory. The New Orleans Saints also garnered just over 10.5% of the vote and had no trouble defeating the Carolina Panthers. The Buffalo Bills, the second most popular pick, narrowly escaped elimination with a 34-28 win over the Arizona Cardinals after falling into an early 17-3 deficit. Had the Cardinals secured the win, another 13% of users would have been eliminated.

The early weeks of the NFL season are often filled with unexpected outcomes, and the Patriots' triumph over the Bengals serves as a reminder that anything can happen on the football field. With survivor pool entrants left reeling, fans brace themselves for the exhilarating unpredictability that lies ahead in the coming weeks.