CINCINNATI — Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, Joey Slye shot three field goals and the New England Patriots won Jerod Mayo’s coaching debut by beating the mistake-prone Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 on Sunday.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who received the Patriots’ first pick over draft pick Drake Maye, wasn’t exceptional, but he held on to the ball and allowed the Patriots to play well enough against a slow-starting Cincinnati.

The nine-year veteran led a methodical 80-yard drive in the first quarter, with six first downs, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Stevenson.

The Bengals just played poorly in the first half.

Cincinnati went three-and-out on its first three possessions. Joe Burrow took the Bengals to the red zone in the second quarter and came away with nothing.

On third-and-11 at the Patriots’ 15-yard line, Burrow connected with tight end Tanner Hudson at the 9-yard line, but safety Kyle Dugger grabbed the ball at the goal line and cornerback Marcus Jones ran it 17 yards the other way.

In the second half, Cincinnati’s Charlie Jones fumbled a punt, setting up a Patriots field goal. Then the Bengals fell a yard short on a fourth-down pass and lost the ball.

Cincinnati finally got into the end zone late in the third quarter on Zack Moss’ 5-yard run. Evan McPherson’s 51-yard field goal cut New England’s lead to 16-10.

The Bengals got the ball back with 2:56 left, didn’t get a first down and opted to punt. Stevenson rushed for two first downs and the Patriots ran out the clock.

Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, whose participation was in doubt as he awaits an expected contract extension, had six catches for 62 yards. Burrow was 21 of 29 for 164 yards.

Brissett completed 15 of 24 passes for 121 yards.