The New England Patriots are looking to continue their newfound dominance as they enter Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season. Sporting a strong 6-2 record through eight games, New England is riding a hot streak and preparing to welcome the Atlanta Falcons in a highly anticipated rematch of Super Bowl LI.
The Patriots face a Falcons team that is currently reeling from a shocking upset loss to the Miami Dolphins last week. While much of the conversation around the Patriots this season has focused on their offense and the progress they’ve made, the spotlight has especially been on second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who is having a breakout year in 2025.
In contrast, the Patriots’ running back room has struggled to find consistency early in the season, leading to some concerns among fans. Despite this, Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has praised Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, going so far as to compare him to one of the best running backs of the previous generation: Marshawn Lynch.
“He is a hard tackle,” Ulbrich said during the Falcons’ media availability last Wednesday, as reported by Carlos A. Lopez. “Being with the New York Jets and playing him twice a year, he felt to me like Marshawn Lynch 2.0 — tough, rugged, physical. We’re gonna have to play our most physical game.”
Stevenson has been the primary running back for the Patriots this season, with TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson providing support behind him. However, Stevenson has yet to reach the level of effectiveness fans hoped for, accumulating just 297 yards and three touchdowns through eight games.
Overall, the running back group has not been up to par this season. Interestingly, Maye is actually the team’s second-leading rusher with 250 yards on the ground, highlighting some of the struggles in the backfield. Ball security has also been an issue; Stevenson, Henderson, and Gibson have combined for six fumbles so far, with Stevenson responsible for half of those.
Despite these challenges, the Patriots are still humming along at the top of the AFC East. Maye’s breakout performances have propelled New England forward, keeping them a step ahead even as the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills continue their usual strong play.
Looking ahead, a win over the struggling Falcons would further solidify the Patriots’ status as a serious contender in the 2025 playoff picture. With their eyes set on maintaining momentum, New England aims to capitalize on this opportunity and continue their push toward the postseason.
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