The New England Patriots are officially playoff-bound, with the team finishing the 2025 NFL regular season with an impressive record of 14-3 after getting the best of the division rival Miami Dolphins in Week 18 at Gillette Stadium.
During the blowout win against the Dolphins on Sunday, running back Rhamondre Stevenson put on a show, scoring three total touchdowns while racking up 153 all-purpose yards, helping the team score 38 points in the regular-season finale.
Rhamondre Stevenson Gets High Praise From Mike Vrabel
GettyRhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots
After crushing the Dolphins, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to the media and was asked about Stevenson’s impact on the team.
“I appreciate all of our backs’ ability to protect,” Vrabel said during media availability. “Rhamondre does that, and I think that goes sometimes unnoticed, and I know that’s not as sexy or as exciting as the run game production and the pass receiving, but he cares deeply about this team. I was excited to be able to have him be a game captain for us.
“He’s just continued to get better. He’s continued to make people miss and to run hard and still protect the football.”
Star quarterback Drake Maye was also asked about Stevenson’s impact and also had high praise for the 27-year-old back.
“He’s a tough back,” Maye said of Stevenson. “He can move. He’s agile. He’s got a jump cut, a two-foot jump cut that I just love watching on film. He just makes people miss like that.
“He’s got great hands. He’s smart. He done blocks and protection unbelievable this year. He’s always telling me I owe him something. I really do. I do owe him something. He’s done a great job.
“We’re trying to have backs that can do it in all three phases. Running the football, catching the football and blocking, and I think he and TreVeyon Henderson have done a great job. … Rhamondre, you guys have seen him around here, he’s as cool as can be, calm and chill. He’s a great player in this league.”
Along with Stevenson having an impressive performance against the Dolphins, TreVeyon Henderson also had a big day, rushing for two touchdowns to go along with 53 yards on the ground on 13 carries.
The Patriots continue to fire on all cylinders and will be a force to be reckoned with offensively heading into the NFL playoffs.
Patriots Will Face Chargers in AFC Wild Card Round
GettyDrake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots
Following the end of the NFL regular season for the Patriots, New England now knows who they’ll play to get the NFL playoffs underway next weekend.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots will take on Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers during Wild Card Weekend.
The Patriots will take on the Chargers as part of a three-game set on Sunday, January 11, which also includes the Buffalo Bills facing the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Francisco 49ers squaring off against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson Gets Strong Message From Mike Vrabel Before Playoffs