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Through the first two months of the season, New England’s offense ranked in the bottom ten of virtually every rushing metric. Their overhauled line looked disjointed, Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling woes resurfaced, and TreVeyon Henderson was still adjusting to NFL speed. Making matters worse, Antonio Gibson suffered a torn ACL in Week 5 after looking like the backfield’s best player.

Henderson’s mid-season ascent brought a much-needed spark to the backfield—and led to a November Rookie of the Month nod—but boom-or-bust blocking and a toe injury to Stevenson kept the run game from being a consistent threat.

Players and coaches often referenced “time on task” when asked about these struggles, which proved to be an accurate assessment before the bye week.

The Patriots haven’t run often since Week 13, and negative plays remain a concern, but their rushing offense has been incredibly efficient over that span.

Henderson’s ascent has been crucial to this turnaround, and he’s produced like one of the league’s best backs since Week 8.

That said, the offensive line has shown noticeable improvement, especially on the right side, and Stevenson has looked as physical as ever since returning from injury. 

Now, with Mack Hollins on injured reserve, Kayshon Boutte likely out with a concussion, and a playoff push on the horizon, there’s no better time for New England to lean on the run and take some pressure off their sophomore quarterback.

For a better idea of what’s fueled the ground game’s comeback, let’s dive into some of the offense’s top concepts over the last three weeks. 

DUO

Duo is a downhill concept that creates vertical push by maximizing double teams at the point of attack. 

This McDaniels staple is typically run from under-center with fullback Jack Westover or a third wide receiver on the field. Depth linemen Thayer Munford and Ben Brown have also served as sixth offensive linemen to provide additional push.

Backs looked like they were running into a brick wall on duo for most of this season, but it’s been successful on at least half of the Patriots’ attempts in each of the past three games. The offense hadn’t hit that mark since Week 8 against the Browns.

Duo isn’t known for generating explosives, but repeated blows have led to some big plays late in games. Take this 21-yard touchdown run from last week in Baltimore.

The Patriots come out in a jumbo set with Munford as the in-line tight end, Hunter Henry beside him at flanker, and Stevenson behind an offset Westover. The Ravens, having seen this look and play twice already, send out their 6-1 defense and load up in that direction.

Westover surges toward the left B-gap, and Stevenson presses that way to influence LB Roquan Smith. Once Smith commits, Stevenson bounces behind Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Garrett Bradbury, weaves behind a Kyle Williams block downfield, and slips two tackles to seize a late lead.

POWER/COUNTER

Power and counter are nearly identical to duo, but with linemen pulling to create a numbers advantage at the point of attack. The key difference between them is that power blocks the edge with a skill player, while counter seals the edge with a pulling lineman.

These concepts are typically paired with lighter groupings and called from shotgun, allowing McDaniels to tag additional run or pass options. 

Power has been one of the Patriots’ most efficient runs, despite not being as popular as duo or zone. It’s averaged over six yards when called, easily the most among the offense’s core concepts, and it led to one of New England’s most aesthetically pleasing scores this season. 

The Patriots come out in another jumbo set featuring Munford at tight end, but with Austin Hooper beside him on the right wing, Henry on the left wing, and Henderson in the backfield. The Bills counter with their 4-3 under front to create a five-man front with the strong safety creeping toward the line.

Henderson’s jab step freezes the unblocked corner, Munford and Morgan Moses put the playside defensive end on skates, and Hooper sets a solid edge for Wilson’s lead block. At the second level, Bradbury and Wilson connect on their climbs, and Munford and Moses put the their initial assignment in the middle linebacker’s lap, and Henderson shows his home run speed by exploiting the massive hole for a 52-yard score.

Counter is one of New England’s less popular runs, but it’s seeing an uptick and has led to multiple big plays. 

The Giants’ defense matches New England’s three-receiver set with a 4-2 front and two high safeties, giving the offense a favorable run look. The Patriots deploy a bunch with Henry at off-ball tight end, Hollins at the point, and DeMario Douglas outside.

Douglas motions to the backfield pre-snap before simulating a sweep, and Henderson fakes a block before following pulls from Onwenu and Henry.

Backups Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown get excellent push on a combo to the backside linebacker, Onwenu lets Abdul Carter run upfield, and Henderson follows second-level blocks from Boutte and Henry. Henry’s man falls off his block late, but Henderson breaks free before finishing with authority.

Power and counter could prove to be a dangerous ace up the Patriots’ sleeve, particularly when incorporating quarterback runs and different pass concepts.

OUTSIDE ZONE

Outside zone aims to create perimeter or cutback lanes by pushing defenders toward the sideline. 

New England calls outside zone almost exclusively from under-center, which provides a cleaner read for ball-carriers, but uses several different groupings.

The horizontal concept doesn’t bring the boom quite like duo or power, but it gives explosive backs like Henderson space to bring the lightning. In fact, outside zone is one of the few concepts New England has averaged positive EPA/play on this season, and 

It’s also been effective with key pieces like Wilson and Will Campbell and out of the lineup, as shown on this explosive gain against the Giants.  

The Patriots get a similar defensive look after sending out another bunch with three receivers, but this time, Drake Maye lines up center to set up a wide handoff.

Lowe uproots the edge, Brown and Bradbury lock up their assignments to give Henderson a lane, and Boutte cracks down hard on the safety, allowing Henderson to accelerate past the sticks. Onwenu and Moses also throw strong backside.

The interior could be more consistent blocking second-level defenders, and a fumble off Westover’s thigh thwarted a well-blocked attempt last week, but these runs feel like a big play waiting to happen.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Patriots should keep building momentum against a Jets run defense that has ranked in the bottom 10 since Week 12. DI Jowon Briggs and LB Quincy Williams have struggled to hold the point of attack, and ED Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) has been ruled out.

The offense will also feature rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism in much more roles down the stretch, setting the stage for Stevenson to hit New York with repeated body blows to hide a passing game that could take time to gel.

Henderson’s status is still up in the air as he works his way back from a concussion, but there’s hope he’ll be available on Sunday. If available, that one-two punch could prove to be more than the Jets can handle for 60 minutes. 

McDaniels could crank up his outside zone use to exploit a depleted edge group, but as always, he’ll mix things up to keep New York on their toes.

Tougher tests await down the road, but if New England keeps building on recent success while avoiding major setbacks, it will be impossible to see the ground game as anything less than a surprise strength entering the postseason.

The post Patriots Run Game Becoming a Strength Ahead of Playoffs appeared first on CLNS Media.

Since losing Milton Williams to a high-ankle sprain early against the Jets, New England has seen virtually no drop-off in pass rush efficiency. In fact, according to PFF, their pressure rate has slightly increased since Week 11.

Some of their success can be attributed to Christian Barmore’s consistently disruptive presence. The usual nose tackle has spent more time at Williams’ usual defensive tackle spot, where he’s drawn fewer doubles. Barmore has notched three hurries in each of his past three games, and he trails only Moro Ojomo and Arik Armstead in total hurries this season.

Rookie Elijah Ponder has also flashed recently, recording two sacks in three weeks. The edge rusher spent some time inside against the Giants to counter Jaxson Dart’s athleticism.

As valiant as some individual efforts have been, Williams’ impact can’t be replaced by just one player, so New England has ramped up its use of second-level rushers and line games to help pick up some of the slack.

This manufactured pressure has led to crucial stops, and it could be crucial to slowing down Josh Allen this Sunday.

New England blitzed on just 20.0% of Allen’s dropbacks in Week 5 and stunted on 22.5%, both bottom-three rates for the defense this season. 

This strategy afforded Allen time and space to burn the back end, especially on man coverage or play-action snaps. But in round two, it sounds like the Patriots will be taking the fight to the Bills. 

“Well, you can keep him in the pocket. He’s just got to stand there and wait for somebody to uncover,” Mike Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday. “Coordinated and relentless is probably the best way to phrase it. Because, again, you say, “Well, keep him in the pocket.” And then guys are just standing there, and they’re cautious, and we don’t want to coach that way.” 

With this more aggressive approach in mind, here are three ways the Patriots’ defense can use their scheme to affect Josh Allen. 

Stunts

Line games or “stunts” create confusion and unblocked pressure by having rushers exchange gaps post-snap. 

They’ve been a staple of New England’s penetrating front under Vrabel and interim defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, but they’ve seen a spike of over 10% spike since Week 11.

Stunts have contributed to most of New England’s pressures in recent weeks, with Barmore being a focal point as both a penetrator and looper. 

Elijah Ponder gets the 3rd down sack on Fields! #Patriots pic.twitter.com/xojzQe7wn3

— Follow: @ThrowbackPATS (@ThrowbackPATS) November 14, 2025

Facing third-and-two, Barmore lines up at Williams’ usual defensive tackle spot in a four-man front. The Jets slide their five-man protection toward nose tackle Cory Durden, leaving Barmore one-on-one with LG John Simpson.

New England calls a T-E twist with Barmore crashing outside to spring Ponder. Durden puts the pocket in Justin Fields’ lap, Barmore gets pressure while picking Olu Fashanu, and Ponder retraces for the sack.

The Patriots got solid pressure on stunts in Week 5, but shaky rush lane integrity and too many open gaps contributed to multiple conversions. This time around, keep the relentlessness and tighten up the coordination.

Mug Fronts

By dialing up more blitzes, the Patriots can minimize Allen’s escape lanes and create even more confusion on line games. 

In fact, their only Week 5 came courtesy of a twist between Barmore and Williams, with Jaylinn Hawkins setting contain off the edge.

The #Patriots had two really well-timed blitzes vs Josh Allen

On the first, Jaylinn Hawkins' rush prevented a scramble right and combined with Harold Landry's loop to free Milton Williams for a sack

On the second, Carlton Davis came unblocked to influence a quick checkdown pic.twitter.com/Vad5A3UxJy

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 7, 2025

That sack, like most of New England’s recent knockdowns, involved mug fronts with at least one off-ball defender head up over an interior linemen. By forcing blockers to respect blitz, defenses can influence protection schemes and create post-snap hesitation. 

Like stunts, mug fronts are nothing new for the Patriots’ defense, but they’ve been a regular part of recent third-down and rush packages. 

Elijah Ponder gets his 3rd sack of the season! #Patriots pic.twitter.com/R3QcTgGgSa

— Follow: @ThrowbackPATS (@ThrowbackPATS) December 2, 2025

With the Giants in a pass look on second down, New England lines up in a wide defensive front with Ponder inside, Jack Gibbens over C John Michael Schmitz Jr., and Christian Elliss creeping toward the line.

The front calls twists on both sides with Barmore freeing Anfernee Jennings, Elliss freeing Ponder, and K’Lavon Chaisson forcing Dart into the loopers. Elliss collides with his target while drawing the back, and Gibbens’ late drop leaves the center’s head spinning, leading to a wide-open lane and another Ponder sack.

Calculated misdirection is one of the best ways to attack the Bills’ sturdy offensive line, but there’s one more tactic the Patriots have leaned on to speed up opposing quarterbacks. 

COVER 0

Cover 0 indicates zero deep help with coverage defenders in some form of man coverage, sometimes using zone principles like passing off assignments. It’s often thought of as an all-out blitz, but defenders often pop out of their rush based on the blocking scheme.

Cover 0 has been a hit-or-miss for the Patriots this season, as evidenced by the Giants’ 30-yard touchdown in Week 13.

Darius Slayton FIGHTS for it

: ESPN pic.twitter.com/5wSPABhRfl

— New York Giants (@Giants) December 2, 2025

That said, New England has been successful with the coverage when scheme and execution have aligned, including game-sealing stops in each of the last two games. 

Christian Elliss ends his night with a PBU on 4th down! Really good game for him! pic.twitter.com/AeUjAlw1Cg

— Follow: @ThrowbackPATS (@ThrowbackPATS) December 2, 2025

Facing fourth-and-eight with the game on the line, the Patriots create a seven-man front before the snap to overload New York’s six-man protection. The defense lines up in a wide front similar to Ponder’s last sack, but with Gibbens and Elliss mugging late and Hawkins blitzing to prevent a Dart dash.

The Giants slide toward Elliss and assign the back to Gibbens, but Gibbens generates quick pressure, and Elliss pops out late before elevating for a game-sealing pass-breakup.

Blitzing Allen is far from a guaranteed win, as he’s more likely to fight off the first rusher than he is to go down. Swarming to the football and fighting off stiff-arms will be a major point of emphasis against the 6’5”, 237-pounder.

Final Thoughts

If the Patriots’ rush picks its spots wisely and doesn’t give Allen easy outs, the coverage should be able to suffocate Buffalo’s passing game.

Allen is always good for a handful of soul-crushing plays a week, but if Vrabel’s team has taught us anything, it’s that they can respond. Given the team’s last performance and the head coach’s undefeated record coming off a bye week, I expect the defense to bring its A-game and make another statement in its biggest game this season.  

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