For the Patriots, the 27-14 win over the Jets last Thursday, which ran their record to 9-2 and their win streak to eight games, was a mostly grinding result on a chilly night at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots were not ultra-efficient in the game, but then, the Jets were much less so, and New England was able to come away with a comfortable win and move on, still ensconced atop the AFC East.
Part of what made the showing against the Jets especially impressive was that New England was shorthanded on the offensive side. Out for the game was starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson, as well as receiver Kayshon Boutte, who is enjoying his first breakout year. Productive tight end Austin Hooper was injured, too.
Boutte has been out two games with a hamstring, an injury he had said was mild. Stevenson has been out three games now with a toe issue. Hooper sat just on Thursday with a concussion.
But there’s good news from coach Mike Vrabel: Things are looking up in Week 11.
Patriots Expecting Reinforcements at Practice
Appearing before the Patriots restarted their gameday prep, Vrabel was asked on Monday during his weekly appearance on “The Greg Hill Show,” on WEEI whether he foresaw the players who sat out on Thursday being healthy and ready after 10 days off this week.
The Patriots will face the 3-7 Bengals, who have lost three straight games, on Sunday in Cincinnati.
Said Vrabel: “Hopefully, yeah, hopefully I expect to see them at practice today. So, that would, once they get through that, we’ll get to Wednesday and see how they are and how they progress through the week. But yes I think they will be out there today.”
Rhamondre Stevenson vs. TreVeyon Henderson Debate On?
It will be interesting to see, when the team reconvenes and faces off against the Bengals, how the last few weeks will affect the Patriots’ approach to the offense. In the absence of Stevenson, the home-run, big-play ability of TreVeyon Henderson has been on full display, but reports have held that even with Henderson’s breakout games, Stevenson will remain the starter and primary Patriots back.
Henderson has posted 209 yards on 33 carries with four touchdowns in the past two weeks, plus another touchdown and 34 yards as a receiver.
No matter who starts, the Patriots will welcome the depth. In a room wracked by injuries, the team has had eight carries for 12 yards from backup running backs in the past two weeks.
Patriots Readying to Be Without Milton Williams
Also on the injury front, the Patriots will need to prep for the loss of Milton Williams for this week, and for the near future–he is on the IR now with an ankle injury, meaning he will miss the next four games.
Though Williams is a former Super Bowl champ who was given a team-high $104 million contract this offseason, Vrabel said the roster is prepared to handle his loss.
“The same guys who have been playing,” will replace Williams, Vrabel said. “I think (Eric) Gregory played in a game for the first time. I thought he battled and continued to improve on the practice squad, and we’ll hopefully get Josh Farmer back. And I would say (Jeremiah) Pharms is doing a great job as well on the show team and was ready to go in there at any point. I think we’re OK there as far as the depth. Just have to keep working.
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