6 reasons why the New England Patriots won in Week 14

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. Rise of James White

Even if White can be three-fourths the player Dion Lewis was before going down with an ACL injury, the Patriots will be fine. On Sunday night, White showed us that he can be everything Lewis was as a receiver out of the backfield and open-field ball carrier.

Good injury news: Devin McCourty has sprained ankle, should be fine

White was the Patriots’ third-leading receiver in Week 14 after Gronk and Amendola, catching four balls for 38 yards, including a 27-yard catch and run. That stat line hides White’s outstanding grab on the sideline, which was ruled incomplete after further review. It was a questionable call by the referees, as there was not definitive evidence that his heel touched the sideline. Here it is, in case you forgot:

White is becoming everything the Patriots hoped he could be and more when they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. On the season, he has 26 receptions for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Don’t expect White to lose his newfound role anytime soon.

Next: 3. CB Johnson’s awesome debut