New England Patriots running back usage under scrutiny

The New England Patriots are facing scrutiny regarding the workload distribution between running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. While Henderson has shown flashes of explosive potential, such as a 39-yard touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his efficiency has been inconsistent. Data from TruMedia indicates that Henderson ranks last among all qualified NFL running backs in success rate, defined as gaining at least 40 percent of yards to go on first down, 60 percent on second down, or picking up a third down.

In contrast, Stevenson maintains a higher success rate of 43 percent, ranking 13th out of 51 qualified running backs. Despite Stevenson's recent struggles with yards per carry, his reliability in meeting success rate benchmarks appears to influence coaching decisions. Analysts suggest that while Henderson offers a unique skillset for outside runs and screen plays, the team's reliance on analytics may favor Stevenson's consistency in the current offensive scheme.