The list of New England Patriots 100-yard rushers over the past decade is not exactly a who’s who of running backs. Nor is it dominated by a few elite rushers. It is basically a hodge-podge of league-average players who would occasionally have a big game.
The NFL has continued to devalue the running back position over the years, but no one has invested less in it than Bill Belichick. Of course, having Tom Brady under center minimized the need for star backs. But come on. How has Brandon Bolden managed to loiter around the franchise for nearly a decade now?
Perhaps the most shocking thing about the New England Patriots 100-yard rushers over the past decade is the fact all but one has flopped once leaving Foxborough. For example, Stevan Ridley never posted more than 108 yards in a season once he left despite rushing for that in a game a handful of times with the Pats.
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10 New England Patriots 100-yard rushers over the past decade
What you are about to read is the brutal list of New England Patriots 100-yard rushers over the past decade. (Hit the arrow to start the slideshow).
1Stevan Ridley (7x)
Ridley’s first 100-yard game came in the 2012 season opener. His 151-yard game against the Denver Broncos that year was pretty good, but it is hard to pick out any truly remarkable moments. His last 100-yard game came in 2014. He would suffer an injury a few weeks later and left after the Pats’ Super Bowl win against the Seahawks.
2Damien Harris (6x)
In many ways, Harris is a clone of Ridley. They are high-volume players that aren’t particularly dynamic or memorable. Neither one catches passes. Now in his third season with New England, Harris does have a chance to become the franchise’s most decorated 100-yard rusher over the past decade, although that’s not saying much. The Alabama product first eclipsed the century mark in week 3 of 2020.
3LeGarrette Blount (5x)
Blount was the quintessential Patriots running back. He was there for a long time, wasn’t particularly good and did even worse when he left. Byron Hout’s worst nightmare first 100-yard display happened in week 17 of 2013 with the fifth and final one happening in week 11 of 2016.
4Sony Michel (5x)
Unlike most of the other backs on this list, Michel came in with talent and a first round pedigree which showed during his rookie season in New England. He posted four 100-yard games and was huge in the playoffs that year, breaking the postseason record for rushing touchdowns by a rookie.
And then 2019 hit. Michel isn’t entirely to blame for his struggles as no Patriot finished with a 100-yard game at any point of the season. But the Georgia Bulldog didn’t help his case either, looking sluggish throughout the campaign. He did record his fifth 100-yard game for the team in 2020 before being traded ahead of this season.
5BenJarvus Green-Ellis (3x)
A great name but nothing special as a runner, Green-Ellis holds the team’s only 100-yard showings in 2010 and 2011. He joined the Bengals in 2012 and surprisingly posted a 1,000-yard campaign before falling out of the NFL at the end of 2013.
6Dion Lewis (2x)
It is safe to say 2017 was a mess for Patriots running backs with Belichick throwing Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead out there among others. With James White in the pass catcher role, Lewis ended up becoming the team’s primary ball carrier and even posted a couple 100-yard games that year.
7Jonas Gray (1x)
The two guys who started him in DFS will never forget Gray’s 37 carry, 201-yard showing against the Colts in week 11 of the 2014 season. But seriously, most of us probably forgot this happened:
8Brandon Bolden (1x)
The only time a pair Pats running backs had over 100 yards in the same game happened in week 4 of 2012 with Bolden and Ridley. Unbelievably, he is still sniping touches in New England some nine seasons later.
9Shane Vereen (1x)
This happened out of nowhere in the 2013 season opener. Vereen was the team’s pass catching back but ended up being far more effective than both Blount and Ridley on this day.
10Rhamondre Stevenson (1x)
The latest and greatest in the long list of New England Patriots 100-yard rushers over the past decade is Rhamondre Stevenson. Harris’ backup did well against the Browns but history tells us his ceiling is likely limited.
