Lined up...

9:11 remaining in the second quarter, the Patriots are up at this point, 3-0. 4th and goal, and the Bengals are lined up in a 'Jumbo' package with DT Peko (#94) lined up as the fullback, in front of Gio Bernard and 3 tight ends in line, creating an 8 man line in front of Dalton. The Patriots have countered by stacking the entire defense in the box (the missing man is Chung, just off screen to the left) with Ninkovich (#50) and Hightower (#54) as the only defenders on the second level, Hightower already in position to crash in to the line. Rare Ebner (#43) sighting on defense.

At the snap...

As the ball is snapped the offensive line is mostly firing out trying to create a push. Peko has started his run, indicating the play will be going to the defense's right. Not everyone on screen has even moved yet (including Bernard), but the ones that have, on both teams, seem to be moving left-to-right.

Handing off...

As Dalton turns to hand off to Bernard, it is pretty clear the Patriots defensive line is winning the battle. They went from all having their feet in the endzone at the snap, to all now being in front of the goalline. Long (#95) and Branch (#97) are doing a good job standing their men up, allowing Hightower freedom to move around them. Ebner has just about crashed down on the tight end in an attempt to seal off the edge. Peko is moving to hit someone and open up a hole.

Running in to traffic...

As Bernard approaches the line, there is not a lot of room. The combination of Long, Branch and Ebner have done an excellent job of collapsing the blocking. Peko has just emerged from behind the line, and looks to block Hightower. There is a lot of backside pursuit spearheaded by Hamilton (#74, can see part of his back and helmet to the right of goal post, behind line of scrimmage) which eliminates the cut-back.

Disappearing act...

Long and Branch do a great job continuing to drive their men backwards. Bernard is in this shot, he's just hidden behind Long. Hightower and Ebner are also right there, and there is nowhere for Bernard to go. Peko misses his block as he took it a little too far outside and allowed Hightower to slip inside of him.

STOPPED!

Bernard almost squeezed through, somehow, but Long wasn't letting go. Ninkovich is now right there to help clean up with a cast of other Patriots quickly closing in.

Great job by the patriots defense here. This was a drive that started all the way back at the 10 yard line, with 2:57 remaining in the first quarter. 89 yards and almost 9 minutes later, the defense managed to hold strong and make this stop and maintain their 3-0 lead.

Special nod to Long, who almost single-handedly made this play. I don't think anyone expected this level of play, and such consistency when he signed with New England.

The defense has been very good through the first 6 weeks. They give up a lot of yards, in this case 89, but they are not giving up many points (15.2 per game). At one point Dalton was 10-10, and had 0 points to show for it (in fact the 3rd down play preceding this was his first incompletion. Nice job by Butler).