Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson sparks rushing attack against NFL’s best

FOXBORO Patriots fans and fantasy managers alike had been clamoring for a TreVeyon Henderson breakout meeting It completely happened for the rookie running back Sunday when he carried the ball times for yards flashing the explosive ability he promised during his Ohio State career in the - win Related Articles Patriots HC Mike Vrabel sidelined Christian Barmore to protect the squad What we learned Best and worst from Patriots - win over Browns Patriots ex-starting defender among inactives vs Browns Patriots add running back ex-starting safety to functioning roster Patriots-Browns preview How Drake Maye Mike Vrabel can extend their winning streak It wasn t a perfect performance Henderson capped the meeting off by losing a fumble on the goal line in his final touch but the rookie was still a bright spot in the - win I know the coaches they gave me a lot more opportunity this week Henderson reported I m grateful that I was able to help this group come out with the win It was a slow start to Henderson s career The second-round pick was coming off the greater part unproductive competition of his career in the Patriots Week win over the Titans when he played nine snaps and carried the ball twice for yards Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels called Henderson s lack of a workload in Week circumstantial Head coach Mike Vrabel revealed earlier in the week that the Patriots decided to lean on Rhamondre Stevenson after particular early success running the ball in the win over the Titans Stevenson still touched the ball more in Sunday s win over the Browns carrying it times for yards and catching one pass for yards but Henderson was far more effective The rookie s first two carries went for yards He added a -yard carry early in the third quarter I ve definitely been getting more content as a season evolved getting more reps getting getting more opportunities different looks going up against different players Henderson explained Henderson who center Garrett Bradbury described as dynamic out-gained his college teammate Quinshon Judkins who started for the Browns and had been more effective through the beginning of the season The Patriots limited Judkins who left the tournament early with a shoulder injury to just yards on nine carries Henderson went two picks after the Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the NFL Draft Obviously getting TreVeyon involved was special in contemporary times getting his speed on the edge right tackle Morgan Moses mentioned And that s what it looks like Everybody s earning their role and waiting their time And when your time is yournumber is called you want to be able to go out there and do great things So big ups take my hat off to to the young guy just being ready and studying and being a professional But this what it looks like when you play complimentary football The Patriots were not expected to have so much group success on the ground against the Browns who came into Week sporting the NFL s best run defense Overall they gained yards on carries It was their second straight event with or more rushing yards The Patriots are on a five-game winning streak and are - overall but calling their run battle inconsistent heading into Week would have been a compliment The ground competition was thoroughly ineffective in wins over the Bills and Saints in Weeks and They also struggled to run the ball in Week against the Raiders and Week against the Panthers Tough sledding I think we stayed committed and mixed various interior runs We hit certain outside plays a few perimeter runs head coach Mike Vrabel stated after the meeting Then obviously the quarterback stuff helps those numbers Quarterback Drake Maye certainly boosted the Patriots rushing totals on Sunday picking up yards on seven carries His longest rushing play was a -yard scramble late in the third quarter that elicited M-V-P chants from the home crowd at Gillette Stadium On the very next play Maye indicated off his arm by hitting wide receiver Kayshon Boutte in stride for a -yard touchdown pass When they pressure and they play man coverage and Drake can do that that has to be part of who we are Vrabel announced of Maye s mobility We ve got to send him to Spring Training and figure out when to slide and continue to talk about that I ll do my best there The Patriots run blocking has certainly improved over the last two games as Will Campbell Jared Wilson Garrett Bradbury Mike Onwenu and Moses continue to jell Moses credited playing together for the improved run championship Campbell revealed the squad has placed a major focus on improving the ground encounter Bradbury declared a big key was to match the Browns physicality with speed Fullback Jack Westover was effective as a lead blocker and noted a key to improving the run contest was guys being sticky I think just handling first level first those combinations and getting to the second level has been really critical And running backs are doing a hell of a job They re seeing the competition well The Browns are now - on the season but running well against them proves the Patriots can do it against anybody in the NFL The Patriots offensive line struggled to limit defenders like Myles Garrett in other means but they finished strong getting the ball with left in the match and picking up a game-clinching first down on an -yard run from Terrell Jennings That according to Bradbury is a lineman s dream