Once again, the New England Patriots couldn't get much going on offense against the Seattle Seahawks. Even with Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen gone and Nick Emmanwori and Ty Okada out with injuries, it wasn't a pretty outing for Josh McDaniels' unit.
Just like in the Super Bowl, Mike Macdonald's defense got in Drake Maye's head. They rattled him, messed with his rhythm, and constantly had one guy in his face to force him to make an off-balance throw. To make matters worse, the running game was hardly efficient.
That's why, after a heavy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson in the season opener, it's become painfully evident that the Patriots desperately need to roll with TreVeyon Henderson as their featured back. At the very least, they need him back on the field right now.
The Patriots need TreVeyon Henderson's explosiveness
Stevenson totaled 51 yards on 18 carries, an average of 2.8 yards per attempt. Corey Kiner didn't do much better, though, with 11 rushing yards on six totes (1.8 YPC), yet McDaniels continued to insist on the veteran back.
Granted, he didn't have many options. The Patriots are extremely thin in the backfield, and Henderson, who hasn't practiced since August 24, is still dealing with a lingering ankle sprain. He'll have 11 more days to heal before Week 2 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Henderson had an up-and-down rookie season, but he's the more explosive of the two. In a game where every yard came at a steep price, Henderson's ability to turn the corner and get off to the races could've been the difference.
Granted, he still has to work on his patience and vision, but his acceleration is unmatched. Maye didn't have time to get rid of the ball, but Henderson's craftiness and big-play potential would've at least kept Macdonald's defense honest and guessing.
Stevenson is a solid back, and McDaniels has always been a big fan of him, even with the ball-security issues. That's fine and all, but this team needs to think about the future and put the ball in the young back's hands early and often once he's back on the field.
The Seahawks' defensive line is absolutely brutal, and there should be no shame in struggling to get much going on the ground against the defending champions. Last night's game, however, wasn't for a downhill runner like Stevenson.
At least, it doesn't sound like Henderson's absence will be a long-term concern, and there was some buzz about him getting a bigger share of the workload in year two. But if there were some doubts about his importance, this game may have made it crystal clear.
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