You would think a lot of things would be rosy for a football team that has won three straight games and matched its win total from the entire 2024 season. But even as the New England Patriots escaped out of New Orleans with a 25-19 victory over the Saints on Sunday, a big question mark is hovering over the team.
Where is the run game?
It's usually not a good sign when your quarterback is your leading rusher, and that was the case for New England on Sunday, as Drake Maye's 28 yards on nine scrambles topped the Patriots' ground game.
Mike Vrabel recently noted he's not overly concerned his running backs have not gotten off the ground as the season is in the midst of its second quarter, but TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson combining for just 45 yards on 22 carries is a problem. And if not for some spectacular catches from Kayshon Boutte, this could've been a letdown.
Patriots need to get their running game going - and fast - or risk their offense tanking the rest of the season
While untimely penalties - some of which, like pass interference calls on Stefon Diggs - were questionable, the fact that the Patriots were flagged 11 times for 65 yards is something that can't happen when they play better competition.
If the Patriots are going to shock the world and compete for the AFC East title, New England has to run the ball better. That was a big reason why the Saints' front four got better penetration on Maye in the second half, and the Patriots were held to just three points.
Stevenson averaged just 1.4 yards per carry. Henderson showed a couple of flashes but continues to struggle to run between the tackles. In a fourth-quarter game when you're going into your four-minute offense, you have to be able to take time off the clock. And the Patriots had too many negative plays on the ground.
Fortunately, Maye (18-26, 261 yards, three touchdowns, no picks) was able to make clutch throws when he needed to. That's the mark of a quarterback who has command of the offense. But the Patriots can't put everything on their second-year signal-caller's shoulders.
Maybe the remedy for New England's running game comes next week against a Tennessee club surrendering 145 yards per game on the ground. But Vrabel and the Patriots need to answer their biggest question soon.