The New England Patriots tried to beat themselves in Week 6, but running back Corey Kiner absolutely stepped up when it mattered most. Their head coach, Mike Vrabel, said they “tried to beat ourselves” against the New York Jets, a statement rooted firmly in the two turnovers the offense coughed up during their 23-16 win. That’s why, when they inserted the 24-year-old Kiner into the lineup late in the fourth quarter, the message was simple: “Protect the team, protect the ball.”
Trust Earned When It Counted Most
Kiner, a late-August trade acquisition, knows that message. He actually had one of the Patriots’ 13 total giveaways this season, a lost fumble from their victory against the Las Vegas Raiders just last week. So, yeah, the pressure was on. But with 7:20 left in the fourth quarter and New England up 23-16, they put the ball in his hands. And he just ran with it. Literally. Kiner got the call not once, not twice, but eight straight times. He helped the Patriots burn over six critical minutes off the clock, setting up a field goal that stretched their lead to a comfortable 10 points. Of the 51 yards gained on that drive, Kiner accounted for a massive 42 of them on his runs. That’s game management right there.
“It feels great,” Kiner said after the game. “To be in that position in the game, to see the smiles on my teammates’ faces and my coaches’ faces, that they can trust me. It felt great, all the hard work we have been putting in as a team and personally, it just feels great.” His teammate, fellow running back TreVeyon Henderson, was stoked for him. “I’m glad Corey got a chance to get his opportunity,” Henderson said. “I’ve been telling him that his time is coming. So, I was grateful to see that today, to be able to support and serve him.”
The Hot Hand Takes Over
Kiner’s opportunity came largely because of Henderson’s own struggles and an ankle injury that limited the second-year back to just 16 snaps. Henderson was also responsible for one of those two crucial turnovers, fumbling the ball inside New England territory in the third quarter. Sometimes, opportunities knock when others stumble, and Kiner absolutely answered. For a second straight week, he ran with impressive efficiency, averaging 5.3 yards per carry on that game-sealing drive. This season, he’s sitting at a solid 4.5 yards per run over 31 total attempts.
Vrabel praised Kiner, noting, “He runs hard, and it’s the same way he’s selling the kickoff returns… We got three capable backs and you ride the hot hand.” On Sunday, that hot hand was undeniably Kiner. With a quick turnaround before a Thursday night game in Chicago, it seems like the Patriots might just keep riding him. Especially if he keeps protecting the football like he did to close out the Jets. Get ready, Chicago.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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