The Patriots rank 25th in yards per attempt (3.9), 30th in \u201csuccessful runs\u201d based on down and distance (38 percent), and 31st in rushes of 4-plus yards (39.3 percent).<\/p>\n
Rhamondre Stevenson ranks 39th of 41 qualified running backs in yards per carry (3.36), 39th in success rate (32.5 percent), and 41st in \u201cexpected points added,\u201d which has become a catch-all stat in the NFL, similar to WAR in baseball. <\/p>\n
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson has done somewhat better with fewer opportunities, ranking 22nd in yards per carry (4.3), 18th in success rate (41.2 percent), and 18th in EPA.<\/p>\n
The numbers point to Stevenson and Henderson needing to improve more than the offensive line.<\/p>\n
The line hasn\u2019t been perfect, ranked 24th in run blocking by Pro Football Focus. The Patriots also have faced the sixth-most stacked boxes, and sixth-fewest light boxes, in the NFL by percentage.<\/p>\n
But the offensive line hasn\u2019t been terrible. The Patriots rank seventh in the NFL in rush-block win rate, according to ESPN analytics. The Patriots also rank 12th in yards before contact per attempt and 17th in negative run percentage (excluding kneeldowns), indicating that the running backs aren\u2019t getting hit in the backfield an abnormal amount.<\/p>\n
But the Patriots are struggling after contact, which speaks to the players\u2019 inability to gain extra yards on their own. The Patriots rank 32nd in yards after contact per attempt (2.35), with just one official broken tackle all season. Stevenson ranks 39th of 41 running backs in average yards after contact (2.5), while Henderson ranks 32nd (3.0), with no broken tackles. Stevenson ranks 28th in \u201crushing yards over expected\u201d (plus-20), while Henderson ranks 38th (minus-33).<\/p>\n
Henderson had a better day against the Browns, rushing 10 times for 75 yards despite facing a stacked box on six of his attempts. But it seems clear that Stevenson and Henderson need to improve their vision and run strength (and hold onto the ball). An improved running game will be especially important in December and January in the cold weather.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 <\/b>Maye taking sacks. <\/b>Maye ranks in the top five in almost every quarterback category, including sacks. Entering Week 9, Maye ranks second with 28 sacks, and has the third-highest sack rate (11 percent).<\/p>\n
Maye faces a decent amount of pressure \u2014 the seventh-most (39.5 percent) \u2014 but as with the running game struggles, Maye\u2019s sacks seem to be more on him than the offensive line.<\/p>\n
The pass blocking has been mostly solid \u2014 ranked fifth-best by PFF, while Maye has the eighth-most time to throw of all quarterbacks. Rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson have each allowed three sacks, and Morgan Moses has allowed one. Center Garrett Bradbury and right guard Mike Onwenu have not allowed a sack all season.<\/p>\n
Henderson has allowed two, and Hunter Henry was assigned one, meaning a majority of the sacks are on Maye for running into trouble or not getting the ball out quickly enough. The good news is despite the high volume of sacks, Maye ranks just ninth in yards lost (114), an average of just 4 per sack. But the fewer hits and negative runs Maye can take, the better.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 Slow starts. <\/b>The Patriots have allowed an opening-drive touchdown in four of eight games, and a field goal in two others. The 33 points allowed by the Patriots on opening possessions are third-most in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Patriots\u2019 offense ranks 15th with 19 points on opening possessions. <\/p>\n
![\"Malik](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6YQVJRM467HJYOEKRIEB5ZMFTA.jpg\")
Malik Washington of the Dolphins returned a punt for a touchdown against the Patriots in Week 2.Barry Chin\/Globe Staff<\/p>\n