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NFL Announces Punishment for Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Dec 20, 2025 6:11 PM ET

The New England Patriots (11-3) hit a frustrating setback in Week 15 when they lost 35-31 to their AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills (10-4).

The Patriots got off to a promising start by gashing the Bills on the ground. Quarterback Drake Maye scored two short rushing touchdowns and running back Treyveon Henderson had a 52-yard touchdown run of his own — all before the end of the first quarter.

Rhamondre Stevenson also ended up with six carries for 50 yards. The Patriots posted 246 rushing yards as a team.

It did not phase Josh Allen and the Bills, who battled back from a 21-0 deficit to beat their division rivals on the road.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17).© David Butler II-Imagn Images

Amid the second-half collapse, Stevenson committed an infraction that earned him a fine from the NFL on top of the painful defeat.

With 3:41 remaining in the third quarter and the Patriots still ahead 24-21, Stevenson caught a pass from Maye for 16 yards on 1st and 10. At the end of the play, he got into a scuffle with Buffalo linebacker Matt Milano. Stevenson struck Milano with his right hand, drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness. Milano was also flagged for unnecessary roughness, resulting in offsetting penalties.

Tempers flaring in New England pic.twitter.com/TmpYd1qfbX
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025

After the fact, Stevenson was the only one who got punished by the NFL. On Saturday, the league announced Stevenson had been fined $12,172, the standard punishment for a first-time offense for striking, kicking, tripping or kneeing.

It was Stevenson's first fine this season, and he will have the option to appeal it. He received two five-figure fines in 2024: $11,817 for a chop block against the Los Angeles Rams and $11,255 for a facemask against the New York Jets.

Looking ahead, the Patriots are back in action this week on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET against the Baltimore Ravens on NBC's "Sunday Night Football."

Stevenson has taken up a secondary role behind the rookie Henderson lately, and that is likely to continue against Baltimore. Henderson had 16 touches, 161 total yards and two touchdowns against the Bills. Stevenson had nine touches, 77 combined yards, no touchdowns and the avoidable penalty.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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