The New England Patriots are enjoying out one other misplaced season because the workforce will miss the playoffs for the third straight 12 months. New England entered Week 17 with a 3-12 document. The disappointing marketing campaign has first-year head coach Jerod Mayo on the new seat. Hoping to snap a five-game dropping streak, the embattled coach reversed a choice he had made relating to lead RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
Mayo initially supposed to start out fifth-year operating again Antonio Gibson in Saturday’s matchup towards the Los Angeles Chargers, through ESPN’s Mike Reiss on X. Gibson was getting the nod resulting from Stevenson’s persistent fumbling issues this season.
Nonetheless, when the Patriots took the sector towards the Chargers, it was Stevenson who obtained the beginning, per NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Stevenson has fumbled seven instances in 14 video games getting into Week 17, dropping three. It’s simply probably the most fumbles he’s had in a single season. The fourth-year rusher had 4 whole fumbles in his first three years within the league earlier than his ball safety points in 2024.
After beginning the season with 4 fumbles over his first 4 video games, Stevenson was demoted by Mayo for Week 5’s contest towards the Miami Dolphins. Whereas he didn’t begin in that sport, he did play, carrying the ball 12 instances for 89 yards and a rating. Most significantly, he held onto the soccer.
Patriots’ coach Jerod Mayo gave Rhamondre Stevenson the beginning in Week 17
Associated New England Patriots InformationArticle continues under
He saved his turnovers in examine for some time however the points started once more in Week 11. Final week in a 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Payments, Stevenson fumbled once more, dropping the ball. That gave the impression to be Mayo’s breaking level because the rookie coach determined Stevenson wanted a while on the bench to consider issues. However finally he modified his thoughts previous to kickoff in Week 17.
Ultimately, it didn’t actually matter who began the Patriots’ sport towards the Chargers as LA is dominating New England. On the two minute warning within the fourth quarter, the Chargers are up 40-7. Stevenson has two carries for one yard whereas Gibson turned eight totes into 17 scoreless yards.
The Patriots suffered a few accidents within the contest. Drake Maye was examined for a head harm earlier than returning to the sport however Christian Gonzalez wasn’t as fortunate. New England’s high cornerback was dominated out with a concussion.
Regardless of a tough first season, the Patriots are unlikely to fireplace Mayo. The gamers nonetheless assist him and the Krafts seem tired of transferring on. New England will shut out a brutal 2024 marketing campaign with a house sport towards the Payments. Buffalo could possibly be competing with the Baltimore Ravens for the second seed. However all of the Patriots have at stake is their place within the 2025 draft.