A year after finishing last in their division, theNew England Patriotsare in the running for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff bracket.
The Patriots' resurgence in coach Mike Vrabel's first season at the helm comes thanks to improvement on both sides of the ball. New England's defense was well below average in 2024; a year later, it's a top-10 unit by yards and points allowed.
New England's offense took a bigger jump under Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Second-year quarterbackDrake Maye's led that side of the ball from one of the worst in the league to a top-10 unit as well.
Maye's top weapon this year has been rookie running backTreVeyon Henderson. New England selected Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and he's grown into a big role in the offense.
Henderson leads the team in scrimmage yards (997) and touchdowns (eight) this season. He left New England's Week 16 game against theBaltimore Ravensduring the second quarter with a concussion.
Will Henderson be back for the Patriots' Week 17 matchup against theNew York Jets? Here's what we know:
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Is TreVeyon Henderson playing this week?
Henderson cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play against the Jets this week, permultiplereports.
#PatriotsRB TreVeyon Henderson has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)December 27, 2025
