The New England Patriots' Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders put quarterback Drake Maye under a microscope—and for good reason.
Maye dropped back 53 times, more than any passer in the league, while New England handed the ball off just once in the second half. He finished with a career-high 287 passing yards, but his accuracy wavered and the offense lacked consistency.
Throughout the next week, questions circulated about whether the Patriots were asking too much of their second-year quarterback. He needs help from his supporting cast, and he got that in Week 2 in the form of Rhamondre Stevenson. The veteran back turned back the clock with 142 scrimmage yards on 16 touches, giving Maye the support he desperately missed in the opener.
The balance of a dual-threat offense, plus a kick-return touchdown, helped New England score 33 points, the most of Maye’s tenure as a starter.
If the Patriots want to keep building around their quarterback, Week 2 should serve as the blueprint.
Too Much on Maye’s Plate?
The Patriots clearly believe Maye can grow into their franchise quarterback. However, as the failed Mac Jones experiment proved, development is fragile without proper support.
Jones unraveled in New England after a Pro Bowl rookie season. Poor offensive line play, a lack of weapons, and questionable coaching led to his spiral. The Patriots can’t afford to repeat those mistakes.
Head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged concerns about Maye looking overwhelmed after Week 1:
“I think we have to evaluate that. We have to find out, is there something there, or we’ve got to figure out what our guys do best,” Vrabel said on Sept. 8 (h/t @RochieWBZ). “Again, we just make sure that we’re giving him answers by not trying to give him too much. I think that’s always the balance and the fine line.”
The Patriots found that balance with Stevenson leading the way.
New England opened the game with three straight Stevenson rushes to move the chains. That commitment to the run forced the Dolphins to respect the run, creating play-action opportunities for Maye. Two such plays on the opening drive set up a 22-yard completion to Austin Hooper and an eventual touchdown to Mack Hollins.
With the defense being forced to honor the run, Maye’s job got easier. The offensive line, a weak point throughout his young career, held up far better. They allowed pressure on fewer than 20 percent of Maye’s dropbacks (h/t @scoutdnfl) for the first time since he became the starter.
Stevenson’s 2024 Struggles
Stevenson entered the season with plenty to prove. He signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension last summer. At the time of signing, it made him the seventh-highest paid running back in the NFL.
But he failed to live up to that price tag in 2024. He led all backs with seven fumbles and posted career lows in both yards per touch (4.0) and receiving efficiency (5.1 yards per catch).
Against Miami though, Stevenson reminded everyone why the Patriots paid him. His 142 scrimmage yards were his most in a game since Week 15 of the 2022 season, highlighted by a spectacular third-quarter drive.
After the Dolphins took their first lead, Maye stepped up in the pocket and hit Stevenson more than 20 yards downfield. The running back stretched for the over-the-shoulder grab, then ripped off another 30 yards after the catch for a 55-yard gain—the longest completion of Maye’s young career. Following Maye’s rushing touchdown to cap off the drive, Stevenson punched in a two-point conversion up the middle.
Just as important as the box score was the way Stevenson earned those yards. He looked explosive in space, consistently making defenders miss with cuts and broken tackles
The overall performance was a reminder of Stevenson’s versatility. He was a reliable receiving threat early in his career, but managed just 168 through the air last season. If he continues flashing as a pass-catcher this year, it will be hard to keep him off the field.
Above all, Stevenson has yet to fumble through two games after last year’s costly struggles with ball security—an excellent sign as he hopes to continue contributing.
The Vrabel Blueprint
Vrabel has always valued a strong run game. In Tennessee, his offenses leaned heavily on Derrick Henry to set the tone, protect the quarterback, and create easier passing opportunities through play-action. That approach elevated Ryan Tannehill toward flirting with MVP considerations at his peak.
Stevenson isn’t Henry, but his performance against Miami demonstrated how the same principles can be applied to New England. When the Patriots find production on the ground, they create an environment where Maye can thrive—slowing down pass rushers, buying him time in the pocket, and easing the weight of the offense off his shoulders.
Week 1 showed the risks of asking too much of Maye too soon. Week 2 proved what happens when New England eases the burden on him and properly utilizes Stevenson.
If the Patriots keep the offense balanced, Stevenson’s resurgence won’t just elevate the ground game. It will give Maye the breathing room he needs to grow into the franchise quarterback the team is counting on.