FOXBOROUGH — If the Patriots are going to get past the Rocky Mountains and reach Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, the ground game will have to play a sizable role in Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Broncos in Denver.
The combination of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson had an impressive regular season, as the Patriots finished the regular season ranked among the top 10 in rushing yards per game (sixth, 128.9), total rushing yards (sixth, 2,191), rushing attempts (494), and rushing touchdowns (fourth, 22). In addition, they were 14th in average yards per carry (4.4).
The challenge of facing a stout Broncos defense will force the Patriots to be even more resilient with their ground attack.
“I think the biggest thing is just, like a mind-set,” Henderson said. “We know it’s not going to be easy. I think they’re pretty good all around. You know, they’re a really physical team. You play hard as well. You know? I think that’s a big thing. I know they’ve been in some close games, and so they play all the way through. All four quarters.”
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“Just sustaining the drives,” Stevenson said. “Staying on the field. Getting first downs. And ultimately trying to get into the end zone. That’s always our mind-set going into the games, and that’ll be our mind-set again this week.”
Late in the regular season, and in the first two games of the playoffs, the Patriots’ two-back combination played a sizable role in the success of the offense, as they continued to complement each other during the stretch drive.
Henderson, a finalist for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, had 911 yards on 180 carries (5.1 yards per carry) and nine rushing touchdowns.
After missing three games with a toe injury, Stevenson has been on a roll. Over the last four games (two playoff games and a pair of regular-season contests), Stevenson averaged a whopping 7.3 yards per carry. He ended the regular season with 603 yards on 130 carries (4.6 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns.
“I think we do a good job of just feeding off each other,” said Henderson. “Just watching [Rhamondre] do his thing, you know, he encourages me and pushes me. And so we’re just trying to keep it going, and finish our season strong.”
The backs anticipate helping out on two fronts on Sunday, notably as an extra blocker for quarterback Drake Maye against the Broncos’ tenacious pass rush, which rang up a league-leading 68 sacks during the regular season.
While Stevenson and Henderson have done well between the tackles, their work in blitz pickup will be pivotal.
Both, however, also will factor as potential targets in the Patriots’ screen game. Stevenson and Henderson have flourished in the passing game, with Henderson ranking fourth on the team with 35 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown, while Stevenson finished the season sixth with 32 catches for 345 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“Going all the way back to Miami, when we needed a play, he was able to give us one,” head coach Mike Vrabel said of Stevenson’s receiving ability. “I think that that’s just something that’s part of his skill set. It’s been great to have and to use. Just another one of those guys to spread the ball around.”
“I think if you’re in the game as a pass catcher, you have to also be in there as a blitz protector,” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said when asked about Stevenson. “If all you can do is go in there and release into the patterns, it’s hard to hide that from the defense, so I think his ability to block blitzes and protect the quarterback has allowed him to play a role as a pass catcher. And I think he’s improved significantly in both of those areas over the course of his career.”
“The more you could do, the better,” said Stevenson when apprised of McDaniels’ remarks. “I like that part of my game as well. I appreciate Josh for that.”
Ultimately, Sunday will represent the first opportunity for Stevenson and Henderson to win a conference championship and advance to the Super Bowl. While they understand it’s a team game, they’re well aware a large part of the Patriots’ success on the ground will rely on their individual performance.
“I’m excited. I thank God for this opportunity,” Henderson said. “I just look forward to going out with this group of guys and just continuing to play alongside them.”
“The mind-set is keep the season going,” Stevenson said. “We’re not trying to be out of here next week. So we’re trying to go out there and get a ‘W.’”
Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.
