NOTES
Rehkow's Record Debut
Rookie Ryan Rehkow punted four times for 258 yards in his NFL debut, highlighted by a Bengals-record 80-yarder on his second punt midway through the opening quarter. His gross average of 64.5 yards per punt set an NFL single-game record (minimum four punts), surpassing the previous mark of 63.0 yards by Las Vegas' AJ Cole on Nov. 5, 2023 (five punts, 318 yards).
Rehkow's 80-yard bomb, which rolled just over the Patriots' goal line for a touchback, eclipsed the previous team record of 75 yards, which was shared by Kyle Larson (Oct. 9, 2005) and Kevin Huber (Dec. 1, 2013). It is tied for the 15th-longest punt in NFL history, and is the fourth punt ever in a Week 1 game to travel at least 80 yards.
The previous Bengals record for gross yards per punt (minimum three punts) was held by Will Brice, who averaged 63.0 yards on Sept. 12, 1999 at Tennessee. Rehkow also averaged 52.0 net yards per punt, the second-highest mark in a game in team history.
Here is an updated list of the longest punts in Bengals history:
Ryan Rehkow, 80 yards – Sept. 8, 2024 vs. New England
Kyle Larson, 75 yards – Oct. 9, 2005 at Jacksonville
Kevin Huber, 75 yards – Dec. 1, 2013 at San Diego Chargers
Brad Costello, 73 yards – Dec. 13, 1998 at Indianapolis
Four tied at 72 yards
Moss Finds End Zone In Bengals Debut
Halfback Zack Moss broke in his new stripes with the Bengals' first touchdown of the season, a five-yard rushing score with 1:10 remaining in the third quarter. It was his 15th career rushing touchdown.
It marked Moss' first rushing touchdown in a Week 1 game, but his fourth time scoring in a season debut. He found the end zone twice in Week 2 of the 2021 campaign as a member of the Buffalo Bills, and once in Week 2 of last season with the Indianapolis Colts – he did not suit up in Week 1 for either season.
Money Mac Drills 51-Yarder
Evan McPherson knocked through a 51-yard field goal with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter, marking his first field goal of the season and extending his franchise record to 22 field goals of 50 or more yards. The fifth-year pro entered the day tied for the most 50-plus yarders in the NFL since the start of his rookie season in 2021 (now ranks second).
Jungle Opens In Orange
The Bengals welcomed an attendance figure of 66,214 at Paycor Stadium, with the fanbase executing an Orange Out to open the regular season. It marked the 17th consecutive regular-season game Cincinnati has announced an attendance of 65,000 or more, dating back to Week 1 of the 2022 campaign. That is the second-longest streak in team history, trailing 24 straight home games from 2005-07.
QUOTES
"I thought the energy from the crowd was tremendous. It's obviously disappointing that we lost. It's disappointing because we had a great turnout and a lot of commitment there from the fans, so that certainly gives us a boost. We felt like we were going to win the entirety of the game. Didn't care what the score was — we felt like we were going to come back and win. Unfortunately, three-and-out on our final possession and missed some tackles there on the final drive that allowed them to ice the game." - Head Coach Zac Taylor, on the team's energy to start the game
"We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them. It was not our best day. We will come back and learn from it for next week." - Quarterback Joe Burrow, on what led to the loss
"There are veterans all across this locker room. This position room will do what we need to do to make sure everybody is ready to go for next week. For me personally, it's just getting ready to go back to work, being consistent and showing up on the field and doing what I need to do. Guys will follow that and we'll go from there." - Halfback Zack Moss, on how the team moves forward
"We get back to practice. We've got to watch this and learn from it. We have the defending champs (next week) in their home stadium. Everyone is going to have to get over it pretty quick and obviously, that sucks that we lost the third consecutive opener, but it's a long season and we're going to be ready to go." - Center Ted Karras, on how to respond from the loss
"I think that's kind of our job. We're here if you need us, we're here if you don't. I definitely wish we could have one or two less touchbacks — that would have set us up even better. It was a good way to start, but again, (we all) just want the team to be better. We want the team to win and if we (specialists) can help in that way, of course we're going to try and do that." - Punter Ryan Rehkow, on contributing to field position as a specialist
