A year after finishing last in their division, the New England Patriots are in the running for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff bracket.
The Patriots’ resurgence in coach Mike Vrabel’s first season at the helm comes thanks to improvement on both sides of the ball. New England’s defense was well below average in 2024; a year later, it’s a top-10 unit by yards and points allowed.
New England’s offense took a bigger jump under Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s led that side of the ball from one of the worst in the league to a top-10 unit as well.
Maye’s top weapon this year has been rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson. New England selected Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and he’s grown into a big role in the offense.
Henderson leads the team in scrimmage yards (997) and touchdowns (eight) this season. He left New England’s Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter with a concussion.
Will Henderson be back for the Patriots’ Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets? Here’s what we know:
Is TreVeyon Henderson playing this week?
Henderson cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play against the Jets this week, per multiple reports.
Henderson was a full-go in practice on Friday, per the team’s injury report.
New England’s used a mixture of Henderson and veteran Rhamondre Stevenson out of the backfield this season. Henderson holds the edge in carries (148 to Stevenson’s 115), rushing yards (776 to 425) and rushing touchdowns (seven to four). After practicing fully, that’s a good sign he’ll be the top runner once again.
AFC playoff picture
The Patriots are hanging around in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. After the Denver Broncos’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas, New England needs a win over New York to keep pace.
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West leaders)*
New England Patriots (12-3, AFC East leaders)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North leaders)
Los Angeles Chargers (11-4, wild card No. 1)*
Buffalo Bills (11-4, wild card No. 2)*
Houston Texans (10-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-7), Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
