- Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson scored three touchdowns against the New York Jets.
- The rookie’s emergence comes as starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson is out with an injury.
- Henderson joins Rob Gronkowski as the only Patriots rookies to score three touchdowns in a single game.
FOXBOROUGH, MA – The “MVP” chants at Gillette Stadium from the New England Patriots faithful were definitely aimed at quarterback Drake Maye.
For a moment, though, Maye thought they may have been – and perhaps should have been – serenading running back TreVeyon Henderson, who scored three touchdowns as the Pats defeated the New York Jets on “Thursday Night Football,” their eighth consecutive victory that propelled them to the No. 1 seed in the AFC after the first game of Week 11.
In the span of about 104 hours, from Sunday to Thursday, Henderson scored five touchdowns; he ripped off two long scores in a Nov. 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of a 28-23 win in which he had 147 rushing yards.
Compared to his showing at Tampa Bay, Henderson was far less prolific against the Jets and averaged 3.3 yards per carry (19 rushes, 62 yards). His scores on Thursday were less explosive, too. His offensive line pushed him into the end zone for the Patriots’ first touchdown in the second quarter, and he scored another 7-yard touchdown later in the quarter.
“There were a couple times when I thought I was down, and (the offensive linemen) are coming to push the pile and getting me into the endzone,” Henderson said.
A week after outrunning everybody, he bowled over mercy-seeking Jets defenders, a sign of his versatility as a ball carrier. He’s settled into a routine of watching the upcoming opponent’s running backs for inspiration, he said.
“I always try to work on different aspects of my game,” Henderson said. “When (I am) running the ball, when I’m blocking, running out of the backfield, whatever it is.
“It’s a journey. The NFL comes with a lot of highs and lows.”
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s favorite runs of Henderson’s came with the game’s outcome already decided past the two-minute warning. Three straight plays Maye handed to Henderson, and on the third, the back persevered for 5 yards to gain a first down and end the game.
“They (knew) we’re going to run, and they’re blitzing and everything else,” Vrabel said. “Looked like we were going to be short, and he’s able to knife through there and keep his pads down and pick up a huge first down. He’s executed, whether that’s a checkdown or a touchdown in the back of the end zone. No home runs tonight, but I thought he grinded out pretty much what was there.”
Henderson has also established himself as an emergency valve for Maye when the quarterback is in need of a checkdown. That was especially clear in the third quarter, as Maye dropped back in the red zone with nowhere to throw. Emerging with nobody around him in the end zone, Henderson easily caught Maye’s first touchdown pass of the night. It was Henderson’s third total, as he joined Rob Gronkowski – honored by the team Thursday, the former tight end signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a Patriot on Nov. 12 even though his playing days have been over for some time – as the only rookies in franchise history with three touchdowns in a regular-season game. Former running back Sony Michel achieved the feat in a 2019 playoff contest.
Maye put his own spin on a classic saying to describe Henderson’s recent scoring bonanza.
“Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke,” Maye said. “I think it was a big time for him, stepping up, and it’s been great for him to get all these reps, to keep getting these reps. He wants to be great. He’s just showing up every day and asking questions.”
The uptick in playing time is a direct result of fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson dealing with a foot injury that has cost him the past three games. Terrell Jennings saw time against the Atlanta Falcons but hardly played against the Jets. Once Stevenson returns, Maye said, “we can create a good one-two thing going.”
“Looking forward to have (Stevenson) back,” Maye said, “but TreVeyon stepped up huge.”
Vrabel preaches that taking advantage of one’s opportunities will lead to more chances for production, center Garrett Bradbury said.
“It sucks with Rhamondre being out, but TreVeyon’s taking advantage of that opportunity,” Bradbury said. “He’s running hard. Everyone knows he can outrun you. What people are seeing is that he can run through your face, too. Thought he had an awesome night. Lot of good energy.”
Henderson has made it clear to his offensive linemen that he is their biggest fan, Bradbury said, and he shows that by celebrating his scores with the entire team.
“He’s an awesome young player,” Bradbury said. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I think faith comes first for him. Tells you everything you need to know.”
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who had nine catches for 105 yards, said Henderson would be the first person to admit none of this would be possible by his lonesome.
“He ain’t doing it alone,” Diggs said. “I think when it comes down to individual success, it breeds team success.”
Henderson is less than a year removed from winning a national championship at Ohio State, where he formed a formidable backfield combination with Quinshon Judkins, a fellow second-round pick (they actually were selected two picks apart, Judkins 36th to the Cleveland Browns and Henderson 38th to New England).
His first touch as a professional came on a kickoff return in the first preseason game against the Washington Commanders. Henderson took it 100 yards to the house.
Three months later, good things are still happening for New England when the ball is in the rookie’s hands.