This is not the first time this season that the Patriots have given thought to benching Stevenson because of his ball security issues. After Stevenson fumbled in each of the first four games of the season -- losing two of them -- Antonio Gibson got the start at running back for New England in Week 5 against the Dolphins.

When the New England Patriots signed Rhamondre Stevenson to a four-year, $36 million contract extension in June, they made their intentions clear. The team under the new leadership of Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf viewed the young running back as a key piece of its offense moving forward.

After rookie quarterback Drake Maye hit second-year wideout Kayshon Boutte to put New England up 7-0 in the first quarter, the Patriots controlled the time-of-possession early into the second. And, on a first-and-goal run from the 14-yard line, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson ran up the middle, broke tackles and found the end zone.