The New England Patriots needed Rhamondre Stevenson to bounce back Sunday against the Panthers. In the most important way, he did.
Though Stevenson rushed for just 38 yards across nine carries in a 42-13 dismantling of the Carolina Panthers, he didn’t fumble after losing a pair in the Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stevenson showed in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins just how pivotal he can be for the Patriots when he’s at his best and holding onto the football. But the display a week later against Pittsburgh was a reminder of just how erratic he can be.
The running back told reporters after the game that his mindset was pretty straightforward entering the game against Carolina.
“It is complex but simple. It’s just hold the ball,” Stevenson said, via a team-provided transcript. “You have to hold the ball every time you come up with it. We held onto it today, had no turnovers and got a good win.”
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The Patriots have said that Stevenson remains an important part of what they do. So long as he continues to protect the ball, you can see how a Stevenson-TreVeyon Henderson-Antonio Gibson could blossom into a solid running back room as the season goes on.
