FOXBORO — There have been Patriots followers and radio hosts who needed to see working again Rhamondre Stevenson reduce early within the 2025 season.
Head coach Mike Vrabel stood behind his veteran working again, and it paid dividends in Sunday’s playoff win over the Chargers.
Stevenson led the Patriots in receiving with 75 yards on three catches. He additionally rushed 10 instances for 53 yards towards a Chargers run protection that had stonewalled groups all through the season.
The fifth-year professional is on a tear to shut out the 2025 season. Together with Sunday’s win, he’s averaged over 7.8 yards per contact in every of his final 5 video games.
So, what’s going so proper?
“I couldn’t inform you. I’m simply making an attempt to remain disciplined, making an attempt to remain within the locations I should be,” Stevenson stated. “Simply keep disciplined on my run reads, on the place I should be prior to now recreation, issues like that, and I’m simply making some performs.”
Stevenson went via private struggles this offseason when he misplaced his father in March. There have been individuals calling for Stevenson’s job after he misplaced three fumbles within the Patriots’ first 5 video games after he fumbled seven instances final season.
Exterior of quarterback Drake Maye, Stevenson has now been the Patriots’ greatest offensive participant over the ultimate quarter of the season. He’s enjoying the most effective soccer of his complete profession.
Stevenson’s largest play of the sport was a 48-yard catch on a checkdown from Maye.
“It’s big,” Maye stated when requested about Stevenson’s capability to make performs within the passing recreation. “They at all times speak about catching, getting up discipline. He’s actually constant. …
“He’s so good at making the primary man miss. So helpful to have him on third down, be capable of move shield, catch it out of the backfield.”
Total, the Patriots averaged 5 yards per rush, choosing up 146 yards on 29 dashing makes an attempt. Maye led the team with 66 yards on 10 makes an attempt. The Patriots’ QB had 5 scrambles, three kneel downs and two designed runs. Rookie working again TreVeyon Henderson additionally picked up 27 yards on 9 dashing makes an attempt.
Vrabel stated the Patriots’ efficiency on the bottom was “adequate.”
“I believed we have been shut on a couple of,” Vrabel stated. “Anytime which you could end the sport working the soccer towards the Chargers and a protection like that, I feel it’s very constructive. Actually we weren’t one-dimensional. We have been in a position to run the soccer. We have been in a position to get some yards on first down. I believed the backs ran laborious. I believed they did an important job of caring for the soccer. Drake, clearly if he will get the appears which are advantageous, he can take off and run, similar to he did final week. He did the identical factor this week.”
The Patriots’ offensive line had some points defending Maye however have been additionally strong within the run recreation.
It was the primary recreation since Week 12 that the Patriots’ complete offensive line was in a position to play collectively. Left deal with Will Campbell missed 4 weeks with a knee damage, and left guard Jared Wilson missed time with an ankle damage and a concussion.
Campbell’s at all times comfortable to dam for Stevenson.
“Oh, it’s superior. There’s no higher feeling for an O-lineman than watching your working backs play effectively, hit huge runs, made guys miss,” Campbell stated. “It’s only a actually good feeling. And hats off to him. He works his tail off. He’s an important dude and an important participant, and excited to do once more subsequent week.”
The Patriots’ playoff matchup isn’t set for subsequent Sunday at Gillette Stadium but. The Steelers and Texans face off Monday evening at 8 p.m. ET. The winner advances to play the Patriots within the divisional spherical.
