David Andrews saw Rhamondre Stevenson’s inner fire in Sunday’s dominant performance

In the latest episode of "The Quick Snap" podcast with Brian Hoyer, the Patriots center praised his running back.

In a game that included the likes of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the best player at Paycor Stadium last Sunday was the Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson.

The newly extended running back went over, through and around Bengals defenders all day to the tune of 120 yards and a touchdown on the ground, helping New England score an upset against Cincinnati in the season opener.

But it was the way Stevenson – and the Patriots’ offensive line – finished off the win with a clock-killing fourth-quarter drive that really stood out to center and Pats captain David Andrews.

“You’re looking at Rhamondre, and he’s got this look in his eye,” Andrews told co-host Brian Hoyer on the latest episode of “The Quick Snap” podcast as he recapped the game’s final drive. “We’re getting up to the line, and they know what’s coming … and just to take it from them at the end of the game, that’s huge.”

After a fourth-down stop by Jonathan Jones, the Patriots got the ball back with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter up 16-10. They never gave the ball back. Stevenson rushed for two first downs – the last of which came with 1:52 left – and New England ended the game in victory formation.

The most impressive part, according to Andrews? Stevenson wasn’t nearly as fresh as he tried to make it seem after the final whistle.

“You know Rhamondre was spent too,” Andrews said. “I remember he got to the huddle, and the coach was going to sub him out. He waved them off. He was like, ‘Let’s go.’”

“That’s what you want from your premier back,” added Hoyer.

Make no mistake: this Patriots offense will run through Stevenson regardless of who plays quarterback for the rest of the season. Head coach Jerod Mayo has all but dared opponents to load up to stop him, too. If his play on Sunday is any indication, that will be no easy task: almost all of his rushing yards last week came after contact.

If he keeps running like this, Andrews and his offensive linemates will hopefully get a few more chances to close games out with the ball this year.