One X-factor for each team in the NFL playoffs:

Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots – Rhamondre Stevenson

Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has certainly made a difference for this team, stabilizing the play under center with excellent decision-making pre- and post-snap, an efficient passing game, but also more big plays through the air than most people would think (11th in 20+ yard completions).

However, his play has certainly fallen off lately, as defenses have put the game more on his shoulders. If there’s a path for New England to go all the way, it will be based on a great defense under Bill Belichick and pounding teams in the running game.

The Patriots finished the season with the eighth-most rushing yards and attempts, led by their physical duo of Damien Harris and another rookie in Rhamondre Stevenson.

The two combined for 1,790 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, respectively. Harris touched the ball 73 times more often than Stevenson, missing only two contests altogether compared to the rookie’s five, but the veteran has been banged up on multiple occasions and we’ve seen Rhamondre explode when given the chance to star.

While fellow running back Brandon Bolden should remain the top option on passing downs, Stevenson can also be used more of a receiver than Harris and he is already a surprisingly good pass-protector as a college prospect.

With the nicks and bruises we have seen Harris get bothered by, he could play a major role for the Pats’ success.