The New England Patriots pulled off a gutsy comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens, erasing an early 11-point deficit in a game that tested their resilience-and exposed a lingering vulnerability. While the Patriots officially punched their ticket to the playoffs, the victory came at a cost, and it raised a critical question about their postseason ceiling: Can they make a deep run without a reliable ground game?
Let’s start with the good. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye stepped up in a big way, delivering the kind of performance that puts him right back in the thick of the MVP conversation.
After a rough outing against Buffalo, Maye bounced back with a career-high 380 passing yards, completing 31 of 44 attempts and tossing two touchdowns. He also added 25 yards on the ground, including a clutch run late in the second half that helped seal the win.
But while Maye’s performance was electric, the Patriots’ running game was anything but.
TreVeyon Henderson’s Injury Could Be a Game-Changer
The Patriots lost their most dynamic offensive weapon early in the game when rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exited with a head injury. If he enters concussion protocol, he could be sidelined for multiple weeks-an absence that would be felt immediately and deeply.
Henderson has been a revelation this season, giving the Patriots a true home-run threat out of the backfield. He’s already racked up 776 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and he’s been a factor in the passing game too, with 35 receptions for 221 yards and another score. Simply put: he’s the kind of player defenses have to game-plan around, and his ability to hit the edge or take a screen pass to the house adds a dimension this offense can’t replicate.
Without him, the Patriots are dangerously thin at running back. Antonio Gibson is already out for the year, which leaves Rhamondre Stevenson as the only healthy back with any real NFL experience. Stevenson is a capable runner-he even broke off a 21-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to ice the game-but he’s had issues with ball security in the past and doesn’t bring the same explosiveness Henderson offers.
The Run Game Problem Isn’t New-But It’s Now Urgent
Even with Stevenson in the mix, the Patriots managed just 54 yards on 13 carries against Baltimore. That’s not just a red flag-it’s a flashing siren.
This isn’t the Tom Brady-era Patriots who could survive without a run game because of an all-time great under center. This is a young team with a rookie quarterback who’s still learning how to carry the weight of an NFL offense.
And while Maye has shown he can sling it with the best of them, asking him to shoulder the entire offensive load-especially behind an offensive line that’s allowing consistent pressure-is a tough ask. The Ravens brought the heat all game long, and with Henderson out, they had even more freedom to pin their ears back and go after the quarterback.
Maye took his share of hits, and if that continues, it’s only a matter of time before the wear and tear starts to show. The Patriots need balance in their offense, not just to protect their quarterback, but to keep defenses honest. Right now, they don’t have that.
Mike Vrabel’s Trade Deadline Gamble May Come Back to Haunt Him
All of this circles back to a key decision-or lack thereof-at the trade deadline. Head coach Mike Vrabel and the front office opted not to add depth at running back, even though the position was already thin behind Henderson and Stevenson. That gamble now looms large.
Injuries are part of the game, especially this late in the season. But when you’re heading into the playoffs with one healthy back and no proven depth behind him, that’s not just unfortunate-it’s a roster construction issue. And it could be the difference between a one-and-done postseason and a legitimate Super Bowl push.
What’s Next for New England?
The Patriots are playoff-bound, and that’s a credit to the growth of Maye and the leadership of Vrabel. But if Henderson misses time-and especially if Stevenson takes on a heavier workload and gets banged up-the offense could quickly become one-dimensional.
That puts even more pressure on Maye to be near-perfect every week, and it forces the offensive line to hold up in pass protection against increasingly aggressive defenses. It’s a lot to ask of a rookie quarterback, no matter how talented he is.
The Patriots have shown they can fight. They’ve shown they can rally.
But if they want to make real noise in January, they’ll need more than guts and grit. They’ll need balance.
And right now, with Henderson’s status in doubt and the run game sputtering, that’s the one thing they don’t have.