Do the Patriots have the best backfield in the NFL?
That honor probably goes to either the Cleveland Browns (Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt) or Green Bay Packers (Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.) The Dallas Cowboys also deserve some love, with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard forming a strong one-two punch.
But New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris also could make a compelling case. In fact, the dynamic duo has a relatively decent chance of doing something that rarely has happened in NFL history.
Harris currently is on pace for 728 rushing yards, though that number certainly would be higher had he not gotten hurt early in Week 5 and missed all of Week 6 due to a hamstring injury. The fourth-year pro was on pace for 1,046 yards through four games. Meanwhile, Stevenson is on pace for 1,269 yards after amassing 237 yards over his last two games. That would be the most yards by a Patriots back since Steven Ridley hit 1,263 in 2012.
Should Harris and Stevenson eventually both eclipse 1,000 rushing yards, they would become just the sixth backfield tandem to do so in NFL history and the first since 2009.
Here’s the full list, courtesy of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show:
2009 Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Stewart (1,133) and DeAngelo Williams (1,117)
2008 New York Giants: Brandon Jacobs (1,089) and Derrick Ward (1,025)
1985 Cleveland Browns: Kevin Mack (1,104) and Earnest Byner (1,002)
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers: Franco Harris (1,128) and Rocky Bleier (1,036)
1972 Miami Dolphins: Larry Csonka (1,117) and Mercury Morris (1,000)
So, what are the odds that Stevenson and Harris pull this off?
Obviously, the chances aren’t that good. There’s a reason the feat only has been accomplished five times, and Harris has a lot of ground to make up. But the Patriots clearly are committed to a run-heavy offense, and Harris’ practice participation Thursday indicates he should be able to play Monday night when New England hosts the Chicago Bears. Moreover, he really only needs one or two breakout games to get back on track for 1,000 yards.
As for Stevenson, he looks like a player who has at least a few more monster games in him this season — barring injury. The sophomore back truly appears on the cusp of NFL stardom.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether Harris and Stevenson both reach 1,000 yards, as it’s a largely arbitrary benchmark. Morris and Byner both were a few bad ball spots away from the list containing only three backfields, rather than five.
But make no mistake: The Patriots currently employ one of the very best backfields in the NFL. And don’t be surprised if it looks even better as the season progresses.
