The New England Patriots are back in the AFC Championship Game, and someone who has made a large contribution to help them get there is TreVeyon Henderson. The rookie’s first season with the Patriots has been a roller coaster with big plays sprinkled with confusion in a timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson.
But as he was appearing to emerge midway through the season, a late-season slump has created more questions — especially now that a Super Bowl appearance is one win away.
The questions continued in Sunday’s divisional round victory over the Houston Texans as Henderson ran the ball 12 times for 25 yards. With the rookie's performance declining, Stevenson had most of the production with 16 carries for 70 yards and four catches for 11 yards in the win, potentially putting the Patriots’ concerns front and center as they prepare for next week’s matchup with the Denver Broncos.
Rhamondre Stevenson Taking Control in the Patriots’ Backfield Again After TreVeyon Henderson’s Rough Playoff Performance
Through the first two postseason games, Henderson is averaging a lackluster 2.5 yards on 21 carries. That's fairly alarming, considering how the former Ohio State Buckeye was averaging a whopping 5.5 yards per attempt from Week 8 to Week 18. Something has to change before what will be the Patriots' most important game of the season so far.
Henderson and Stevenson have taken turns with the lead in the Patriots' backfield this season, and it feels like Stevenson’s turn has come in the playoffs. Stevenson’s fumbling problem dominated headlines early in the season, and it appeared he was ceding the top spot on the depth chart to Henderson with just 3.2 yards per attempt in his first 10 games.
But things changed beginning with a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In the final four games of the regular season, Stevenson averaged 9.6 yards per carry and scored four times, establishing some momentum heading into the playoffs. When the postseason began, Stevenson continued his hot stretch, running 10 times for 53 yards in the Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
With another strong performance under his belt, Stevenson could continue to be the lead back against a Broncos defense that allowed 117 yards to James Cook in their divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills. But the biggest question that may be on the mind of Patriots fans is what has happened to Henderson.
Henderson enjoyed a hot streak at the same time that Stevenson was sidelined with a toe injury in the middle of the season, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns (plus one receiving) between Weeks 9 and 14. Henderson also finished third during the regular season with a 39.6% breakaway percentage, which is defined by Pro Football Focus as a rushing play of 15 or more yards.
While being in the same company as De’Von Achane (46.1%), Jahmyr Gibbs (40.6%), and Kenneth Walker III (38.8%) isn’t a bad thing, it becomes an issue when 39.1% of Henderson's 911 yards have come on breakaway runs (361 yards).
With the boom-or-bust nature of Henderson's game, head coach Mike Vrabel may prefer the more consistent approach of Stevenson even if it risks not getting an explosive play. If Henderson’s well has run dry, the Patriots may be best served leaning on Henderson more and swinging the pendulum one more time in New England’s backfield.