Rookie Henderson Leads Patriots Rushing vs Bengals

In Cincinnati, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson emerged as the clear lead back for the New England Patriots during their Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, carrying the ball 18 times for 66 yards while veteran Rhamondre Stevenson managed just five yards on six carries in his return from a three-week toe injury absence.

Henderson's performance underscored his growing role in an offense that has leaned on the rookie amid Stevenson's injury. Over the previous five games, Henderson has rushed for 405 yards and four touchdowns, including a career-high 147 yards and two scores against Tampa Bay in Week 10 and three total touchdowns in the win over the New York Jets the following week. Against the Bengals, who entered the game allowing an NFL-worst 160.9 rushing yards per contest, Henderson played 46 snaps compared to Stevenson's 22, averaging a steady 3.7 yards per carry without the explosive plays that marked his recent outings.

The Patriots' rushing attack, ranked 27th in the league at 3.9 yards per carry, showed familiar flaws in critical moments. In the third quarter, New England reached the Bengals' 1-yard line but failed to score on four attempts,...