EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The first time, he got away with it.
The second time, too.
But the third time Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled this season, coughing the ball up late Thursday night against the Jets, he paid for it.
The offense lost possession. He lost his playing time. And the Patriots lost 24-3.
Stevenson had few words about his fumbling woes post-game.
“I gotta hold the ball,” Stevenson said.
Any specific adjustments?
“Nah. I gotta hold it,” he repeated.
As the Patriots’ lead back, Stevenson rushed for a season-low 23 yards on six carries Thursday. He also went catch-less for the first time this year. Before Thursday, Stevenson had averaged 100.5 rushing yards per game and scored two touchdowns, often creating yards on his own as one of the NFL’s leaders in rush yards gained after contact.
The offense also recovered his prior fumbles versus Cincinnati and Seattle. But unable to find much luck or running room against the Jets, Stevenson and the Patriots went three-and-out twice in their first six possessions. Stevenson then fumbled on the first play of the seventh drive and didn’t take another snap after that.
“We just gotta look at the film, just go back to the drawing board and figure it out,” Stevenson said. “Figure out how to win.”
Antonio Gibson and third-string backup JaMycal Hasty took all of the Pats’ running back snaps over the final 14:02 of the game. Gibson finished with a team-best 29 yards on five carries. He also added three catches.
Stevenson’s three fumbles are one shy of his career worst for an entire season. In 2022, he fumbled four times, while setting personal bests in rush yards (1,040), receptions (69) and touchdowns (six). That season, Stevenson fumbled once every 70 touches, roughly the same rate he posted his rookie season. Last year marked a significant improvement for him with ball security (1 fumble in 194 touches), though Stevenson’s overall rushing and receiving numbers were down.
Despite his fumbling, the 26-year-old said there was little he gained from Thursday’s loss, now the Patriots’ second straight after a shocking Week 1 upset of the Bengals.
“I didn’t really learn anything, to be honest,” he said. “Just another loss.”
