FOXBOROUGH, Mass -- "We played the Patriot brand of football that has made this team a perennial contender for over a decade."

Drew Bledsoe's debut game with his New England Patriots fared better beyond belief against the AFC powerhouse Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Patriots rushed out to a 14-0 lead over the visiting Steelers on a short Dion Lewis touchdown and a Danny Amendola catch and run.

"The offense was moving incredibly," Amendola, who led the team with six receptions and 101 yards, commented. "We were rolling."

But the staple of this Patriots team was the defense, that not only held the Steelers scoreless until late in the fourth quarter, but forced two goaline interceptions, a feat that has stuck itself with the Patriots since this past February.

Jerod Mayo, usually known for his run-stopping ability, picked off Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the endzone. Safety Patrick Chung, also notable for his play against the run, jumped Martavis Bryant's route, snagged the ball, and returned it for a touchdown, taking the Patriots up 21 going to half.

Reigning Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady missed only two of his 17 passes, one being an amazing interception from Lawrence Timmons and the other a drop going deep to Rob Gronkowski.

Back-ups would enter the game in the fourth quarter as the Patriots cruised to a 35-14 victory following two late Steelers touchdowns.

"I felt like coaching-wise, we were near perfection," head coach Drew Bledsoe said in his post-game press conference. "Of course, it doesn't hurt to inherit the defending Super Bowl champions."

When Bill Belichick announced his retirement shortly after the New England Patriot's fourth Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks, an entire fanbase stopped moving. Stopped cheering. Stopped breathing.

Analysts predicted Matt Patricia or Josh McDaniels to stand up and take charge. Both declined, citing that they rather have remained as coordinators. So then who? Bill O'Brien? No, he's settled himself in Houston. Definitely not Eric Mangini. And Pete Carroll has found his home in Seattle as well.

Well, why not one of the first stars the team ever had? The first overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. A Patriots legend.

Drew Bledsoe, out of a prophetic nowhere, threw his hat in the ring. Almost eight years removed from the league, he had established himself as a high school coach in Oregon. But he wanted more.

"It would be a dream come true to become the head coach of the greatest team to ever exist."

All other options, including Doug Marrone who was recently brought in for an interview, went out the window. Robert Kraft jumped at the opportunity to hire one of his most prolific picks.

"I know he will be a great coach," Kraft lamented. "And he won't have to do it alone."

By retaining the current staff at hand, including the promotion of Josh McDaniels to Assistant Head Coach, the Patriots schemes should not change at all.

"There is a set lifestyle around here, and to change it would be suicide," Bledsoe commented.

This also marks the reunion between mentor and student, as he will be connecting with Tom Brady, the quarterback who so many years ago replaced him as the team's franchise quarterback.

"He's more than a friend, he's like a brother," Tom Brady was quoted saying. "I'll miss Bill, but I'm excited to get to work."

At the end of his inaugural press conference, coach Bledsoe answered some large questions regarding his team:

With regards to Jimmy Garoppolo as the future quarterback: "Brady isn't slowing down any time sure. But, yeah. No doubt. Trust me, I can tell when the backup is good."

The starting tailback position: "All of them will play, but Dion Lewis has definitely earned the majority of the snaps."

On Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler: "I've seen him working this offseason. Simply enough, we won't need Revis. This guy is a number one corner. No doubt."

No doubt anywhere for head coach Drew Bledsoe.

Mallett's Majestic Moment in Philly may come to an end this weekend. After struggling against the Rams with 2 first half interceptions, Ryan Mallett left the game with a lower back injury. And while he is still active, Brian Hoyer will start for the Eagles in their second match up with the Giants. Hoyer, in relief of Mallett, threw for 267 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Head Coach Nathan DeGeare has always been one to go with the hot hand, benching last year's starting QB Nick Foles for a few games.

Brian Hoyer adds years of experience after learning under NFL superstar and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, not unlike Ryan Mallett. And why neither appear to be the team's long-term answer for future season, Hoyer has the reigns for now.