The New England Patriots’ running game has quietly begun to build some momentum. After gaining 177 non-kneel-down yards in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, the unit finished its Week 8 contest versus
the Cleveland Browns with a season-best 180 yards on the ground.
A significant portion of that yardage was produced by TreVeyon Henderson. The second-round rookie had the most productive day of his young career, finishing with 75 yards on 10 carries.
He did so in just 14 offensive snaps.
“I have definitely been getting more comfortable this season,” Henderson said after the game. “Getting more reps, getting more opportunities, different looks, going up against different players.”
The Patriots used Henderson’s speed and quick accelerator to stress the Browns’ top-ranked run defense horizontally. The plan worked, with the 23-year-old gaining 63 yards on nine off-tackle runs primarily to the offense’s right.
For as promising as the showing was, it was not perfect. Henderson’s final touch of the day resulted in disaster: in the fourth quarter, he lost the ball on a carry near the Browns’ goal line for a turnover. It left a sour taste in his mouth after what was otherwise a stellar game.
“It is tough,” Henderson admitted. “It is a learning lesson for me, definitely. It is tough to go out like that, but that is something that we have been harping on all season, just taking care of the ball. So, that is something we have got to continue to work on.”
Here is our full snap count report from the Patriots’ 32-13 victory at Gillette Stadium.
Offense
Total snaps: 68 | Time on the field: 35:24 | *denotes starter
QB Drake Maye* (68; 100%), LT Will Campbell* (68; 100%), LG Jared Wilson* (68; 100%), C Garrett Bradbury* (68; 100%), RG Mike Onwenu* (68; 100%), RT Morgan Moses* (68; 100%), TE Hunter Henry* (52; 76%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson* (50; 74%), WR Kayshon Boutte (50; 74%), WR Mack Hollins* (49; 72%), TE Austin Hooper* (39; 57%), WR Stefon Diggs* (35; 51%), FB/TE Jack Westover (17; 25%), WR Kyle Williams (15; 22%), RB TreVeyon Henderson (14; 21%), WR DeMario Douglas (14; 21%), RB Terrell Jennings (5; 7%)
While fellow running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings played only 21% and 7% of snaps against the Browns, respectively, Rhamondre Stevenson hoarded opportunities at the position: the veteran was on the field for 74% of snaps even though his output of just 34 yards on 14 carries did not come close to that of his young teammate.
At wide receiver, meanwhile, the Patriots relied mostly on their typical top three of Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs. The No. 4 spot, meanwhile, saw a change — at least as presented above. Kyle Williams was on the field for one more snap than DeMario Douglas (even though the latter finished with an actual catch of 44 yards). However, we need to add context to their playing time: three of Williams’ snaps came on end-of-game kneel-downs when he served as the deep man behind quarterback Drake Maye.
Defense
Total snaps: 54 | Time on the field: 22:37 | *denotes starter
LB Robert Spillane* (54; 100%), CB Christian Gonzalez* (54; 100%), CB Carlton Davis III* (54; 100%), S Jaylinn Hawkins* (54; 100%), S Craig Woodson (51; 94%), LB Christian Elliss* (39; 72%), CB Marcus Jones (39; 72%), ED Harold Landry III* (38; 70%), DT Milton Williams* (36; 67%), ED K’Lavon Chaisson* (36; 67%), DT Christian Barmore (30; 56%), DT Cory Durden (21; 39%), DT Joshua Farmer* (21; 39%), DT Khyiris Tonga* (17; 31%), LB Jack Gibbens* (15; 28%), ED Anfernee Jennings (14; 26%), LB/ED Jahlani Tavai (12; 22%), ED Elijah Ponder (8; 15%), LB Marte Mapu (1; 2%)
With Christian Barmore sitting out the first quarter for disciplinary reasons, and with Khyiris Tonga exiting in the early second half with a knee injury, the Patriots opted gave their backup defensive tackles some extended playing time. Joshua Farmer got his first career start and just like Cory Durden ended up playing a career high 39% of defensive snaps.
On the edge, the Patriots gave considerable snaps to starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson again, but also incorporated the likes of Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai and Elijah Ponder. Tavai again saw some snaps as an off-the-ball linebacker as well, even though he was only the fourth option at his listed position behind Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens. Fellow LB Marte Mapu did not see the field after giving up a 19-yard catch on a 3rd-and-11 on the Browns’ opening drive.
In the secondary, Jaylinn Hawkins made his comeback after back-to-back absences due to a hamstring injury. He did not show any limitations, going wire-to-wire and registering a highlight-reel interception.
Special teams
Total snaps: 25 | Time on the field: 1:59
LB Jack Gibbens (19; 76%), S Brenden Schooler (19; 76%), LB Jahlani Tavai (17; 68%), S Dell Pettus (17; 68%), FB Jack Westover (15; 60%), ED Elijah Ponder (13; 52%), RB/KR Terrell Jennings (12; 48%), CB Alex Austin (12; 48%), K Andy Borregales (12; 48%), LB Christian Elliss (11; 44%), LB/PP Marte Mapu (11; 44%), S Richie Grant (9; 36%), P/H Bryce Baringer (9; 36%), LS Julian Ashby (9; 36%), TE Austin Hooper (8; 32%), DT Khyiris Tonga (8; 32%), CB Charles Woods (7; 28%), OT Vederian Lowe (6; 24%), OT Marcus Bryant (6; 24%), OL Jared Wilson (6; 24%), OL Mike Onwenu (6; 24%), OL Ben Brown (6; 24%), CB/PR Marcus Jones (6; 24%), ED K’Lavon Chaisson (5; 20%), ED Anfernee Jennings (4; 16%), LB Robert Spillane (4; 16%), WR Mack Hollins (3; 12%), RB/KR TreVeyon Henderson (2; 8%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (2; 8%), WR DeMario Douglas (2; 8%), WR Stefon Diggs (2; 8%), TE Hunter Henry (2; 8%), DT Cory Durden (2; 8%), S Jaylinn Hawkins (2; 8%), WR Kayshon Boutte (1; 4%)
With both Kyle Dugger and Efton Chism inactive, the Patriots’ kicking game operation underwent some changes compared to the previous two weeks.
Chism’s former kickoff return spot went to TreVeyon Henderson, who averaged 27.5 yards on a pair of runbacks. Practice squad call-up Terrell Jennings also aligned in a return spot during his last standard elevation but did not touch the ball. As for Dugger, his roles on kickoff and punt return went to another practice squad member, Richie Grant; Jennings also stepped up on kickoff coverage.
The Patriots’ special teams list also includes some unusual names this time around. The likes of Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte or Hunter Henry are typically not seen in the game’s third phase, but with Cleveland attempting two onside kicks took the field as part of the hands team.
Did not play
QB Joshua Dobbs
One week after playing his fist competitive snaps of the season, the Patriots’ backup quarterback remained on the bench for the duration of the game. In total, Joshua Dobbs has now played 16 snaps over two games this year.
Inactive
QB3 Tommy DeVito, S Kyle Dugger, ED Caleb Murphy, DT Eric Gregory, OL Caedan Wallace, WR Efton Chism III, ED Keion White
The Patriots deactivated seven players on Sunday, including the only one listed on the injury report heading into the weekend: Kyle Dugger, who had played 100% of defensive snaps over the previous two weeks, was made inactive because of a knee issue. Joining him on the sidelines were the team’s usual healthy scratches — Tommy DeVito, Eric Gregory and Caedan Wallace — as well as the newest addition to the roster, Caleb Murphy.
Also not suiting up for the game were former starting edge Keion White, and rookie receiver/kickoff returner Efton Chism.
