New England Patriots fans learned a lot about their team following a gritty, relentless performance against the Bills on Sunday night. Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs showed a connection on offense that fans were hoping to see, and Mike Vrabel's defense led the way for New England's first win in Buffalo since December 2021.
The gutsy victory didn't come without a season-ending ACL injury to veteran running back Antonio Gibson, who mostly made his mark on special teams. Throughout the course of the week, the Patriots have been searching for an answer at running back amid Gibson's injury.
Gibson led the team in yards per carry (4.2) through five weeks, while also contributing 12 kickoff returns for 342 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 2.
With Gibson out of the picture for this season, Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will see an increased workload moving forward. Mike Vrabel's comments on Monday led many to think that Stevenson, even with his fumbling problems, will still receive the majority of the workload in Week 6 and beyond. That would be a mistake.
Patriots Can't Keep Trusting RB Rhamondre Stevenson
There aren't many NFL coaches who preach mistake-free football more than Mike Vrabel. Sure, Stevenson found the endzone twice on Sunday night, but the way he got there wasn't pretty. The 27-year-old carried the ball seven times for 14 yards, while also fumbling for the third time in five games.
Stevenson's three fumbles are tied for the most by a non-QB in the NFL (Derrick Henry), while rookie TreVeyon Henderson didn't lose a fumble once throughout his four years at Ohio State, and hasn't in five weeks as a Patriot. Players have been benched for far less than not consistently taking care of the football.
Costly fumbles, including one coming at the goal line in Week 3 against the Steelers, can't continue to be the trend for the Patriots' backfield if the team wants to return to the playoffs this season. Henderson doesn't have the same stature as Stevenson does down at the goal line, but the rookie doesn't have issues with ball security.
If the Patriots want to be on the right side of the turnover battle moving forward, Stevenson should take a backseat to Henderson starting in Week 6. Facing a Saints defense that has been porous against the run (122 rush yards allowed per game) would be the opportune time to unleash the second-round pick. A changing of the guard at that position has to be expected by all parties at some point this season. Otherwise, using a second-round pick on Henderson is a puzzling decision.
Henderson had been operating alongside Gibson on kick returns, and it remains to be seen who will take over for the veteran in that department. Perhaps Marcus Jones, who has been stellar on punt returns this season, could take on another role starting Sunday in New Orleans.
In a game where the Patriots should be leading for the majority of the contest, it may make sense to shift back to a run-heavy scheme, knowing New Orleans has been difficult to pass on (204 pass yards allowed, ninth fewest in the NFL). Henderson should be involved early and often, both on the ground, in the short pass game, and in pass protection.
Whether that leads to a larger role within the offense remains to be seen.