Karen Guregian: Patriots’ recipe for January success doesn’t all fall on Drake Maye

1 week ago 2

FOXBOROUGH - As Drake Maye goes, so go the Patriots.

The way the season has played out for the 13-3 Patriots, who face the Miami Dolphins Sunday in the regular season finale, that’s given.

Maye, however, can’t be one-man band.

If the Patriots are going to truly contend, and make a Super Bowl run, Maye will get some help.

Specifically, it’ll come from the run game.

Of late Rhamondre Stevenson has made his presence felt as an all-around back. TreVeyon Henderson, meanwhile, is a big play waiting to happen.

That’s all well and good.

What the Patriots need going forward, however, is a dependable running game, one where gaining a yard has to be automatic. It’s also one where they can produce an effective run game during the critical junctures of games.

Between Stevenson and Henderson, and the offensive line up front, the Patriots need to be able to impose their will to close out games. It can’t all be on Maye.

Stevenson said as much following the Patriots blowout win over the Jets Sunday when asked about establishing their identity as a tough football team.

“My definition of a tough football team is running the ball and controlling the clock,” Stevenson said. “So I think if we can do that, that’s a great recipe for postseason and things like that.”

He’s right.

With the Patriots starting the playoffs at home, and beyond after the wildcard round, weather will undoubtedly come into play.

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Stevenson’s emergence should be considered a good sign.

During the past three games, he’s carried the rock 22 times for 148 yards (6.7 average). After early season fumbling issues, Stevenson has done a better job holding onto the football. Those issues cannot creep back during the playoffs.

At the moment, he seems to be playing with more confidence all around after returning from a turf toe injury.

Henderson, meanwhile, has been more of a feast or famine type back. He’s either making big splash runs, showing off his warp speed gear, or he’s been stuck in neutral, with minimal gains on carries. A little more consistency would help.

The rookie believes he’s getting there, with a little help from Stevenson.

“I respect Rhamondre’s game a lot. I’ve learned so much from his game throughout the season, his pass protection, his one-on-one matchups, making guys miss,” Henderson said. “He’s taught me a lot. I think we just feed off each other really well.”

The proof will truly come in a week or so when the playoff journey begins.

During his media session Thursday, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said he’s seen progress in the run game, but agrees the Patriots will need to be able to run the ball effectively when the situation calls for it once they hit the postseason.

“I think we’re always trying to improve it, and we’ve made progress, definitely,” McDaniels said. “And I think there’s no shortcuts to doing that, but I definitely think we’re in a better place now than we have been.”

It’s not just the running backs, it’s the offensive line and blocking up front as well.

“We want to be balanced. We want to stay balanced. We know where we play,” McDaniels said, alluding to New England and its winter weather. “When the weather gets a little crazy every once in a while, you’re going to be need to be able to turn and hand the ball to the back, and run the ball when they know you gotta run it, and when you want to run it.”

Having that ability will inevitably help Maye, one of the front-runners for the NFL MVP award. And, it’ll keep an opposing offense and its quarterback, whether it’s Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, etc - off the field.

At this time of year, that in itself is worth its wait in gold. And if opposing defenses are going to go with two safeties high to protect against Maye and his long ball, daring the Patriots to run, it behooves them to deliver.

Patriots running backs coach Tony Dews agreed.

“Being here, being in the Northeast, I feel like it’s a competitive advantage,” Dews said Thursday. “Not everybody practices outside in these elements. So to be a championship team, at some point in every game, you’re going to have to run the ball when they know you’re going to run it.

“Obviously, the goal is for us to have that mentality, and do that. We just have to execute.”