Since making NFL history by not allowing any player to record 50 or more rushing yards in the first nine games of the season, the New England Patriots run defense has struggled mightily over the last seven weeks.
The Patriots defense has now allowed at least one player to post over 50 rushing yards in each of the last six games.
If New England can hold New York Jets star running back Breece Hall under the threshold on Sunday, the 24-year-old may have to wait until the team’s Week 18 season finale for a chance at ending a lengthy drought for the franchise.
Hall enters Week 17 needing just 46 rushing yards to become Gang Green’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015. New York’s last player to reach the milestone was Chris Ivory.
As noted by ESPN’s Rich Cimini on Sunday morning, every other NFL team has had a 1,000-yard rusher in the last nine seasons.
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Hall has struggled on the ground lately, averaging 46.4 yards per game across the last five contests and just 3.0 yards per carry. The former second-round pick recorded 58 scoreless rushing yards on 14 totes during the Jets’ 27-14 loss vs. the Patriots in Week 11.
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
