New England Patriots: Quick Takes on the Patriots’ offense against the WFT

Who shined on the New England Patriots running backs unit?

On the running back front, there was lots to like. Rhamondre Stevenson was the top star with 127 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.

One of the touchdowns was a 91-yard masterclass where he took a pitch outside and just ran away from the defenders. He was the Patriots’ top offensive performer.

The other standout was the diminutive, J.J. Taylor. He gained 10 yards on two carries and 31 yards on five catches.

On the day that Dion Lewis, another smaller back formerly on the Patriots, retired, it was a nice performance to see from Taylor.

Taylor is a definite keeper. He may very well be the successor to James White at some point as the pass-catching back. He can both catch and run.

Even now, Taylor can provide some of the same attributes the long-time Patriots back does. He’s a nice change-of-pace from the larger backs on the roster.

Two of those backs had pedestrian nights. Damien Harris and Sony Michel (could he be trade bait?) averaged 4.3 yards per carry on a few carries each.

The star of the show, however, was rookie big-back, Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson was the New England Patriots’ best player on offense in the game for certain.

The Patriots have needed a big back forever, or at least since 2016, after which they jettisoned  LeGarrette Blount, who’d scored18 touchdowns that season. Now, they ostensibly have one.

Now, one game is only one game, but two touchdowns are 12 points in any game. It was a great debut for Rhamondre Stevenson. He is just what the doctor ordered, as they say.