Gronk, Gordon Grab Headlines; James White Is Driving Force Behind Pats Offense

James White should be a household name after he set a Super Bowl record with 14 receptions and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime less than two years ago against the Atlanta Falcons.

Somehow, he isn’t. The fact he’s so often overlooked—not just as a top running back, but as the New England Patriots’ top offensive threat—is inane.

White goes about his business each and every week and never receives the credit he truly deserves, because everyone outside the organization worries more about others on the roster.

The reason is simple: Tight end Rob Gronkowski is a future Hall of Fame inductee and maybe the best ever to play his position, Josh Gordon presents a truly tantalizing set of skills and Julian Edelman has an already established record as Tom Brady‘s favorite target in crucial situations.

They’re hot rods revving their engines. White, on the other hand, is the Honda Civic that racks up a ton of mileage because it’s so damn dependable.

“James is like that guy that does no wrong,” safety Devin McCourty said, per the Boston Globe‘s Ben Volin. “… For us as a defense, we know when we go out there on Sunday, if James is in there on any capacity, any role, we have complete confidence, even if we don’t know what that is, just because of the type of worker he is and how consistent he is.”

Well, the Patriots played on Monday this week and managed a 25-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. White once again did what he does even though New England experimented with a different look before utilizing their top back.

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson actually opened the contest in the backfield behind Brady. Patterson carried the ball 10 times—two more times than White—for a measly 38 yards.

When Brady needed a play, though, he knew exactly who to target.

A closer inspection under the hood reveals a little more than a basic engine; it’s the turbo edition. White is an ideal running back for the modern game. He’s not an old workhorse ready to carry the ball 20-30 times per game as he plows his way through defense. Although, he’s capable of getting tough yards when necessary, as seen during the game’s only offensive touchdown, courtesy of Pro Football Focus:

His production should be measured by touches, not carries.

White caught 10 passes for 79 yards to go along with eight carries for 15 yards, including the aforementioned one-year touchdown plunge.

“We don’t want to overload him, but at the same time he’s certainly capable of doing a significant amount for our football team in a lot of different ways,” head coach Bill Belichick said. “So, we try to find a way for him to be productive without putting it all on his shoulders.”

The 26-year-old back falls into a category reserved for the Los Angeles Rams’ Todd Gurley, Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell (when he’s actually on the field), New Orleans Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Cleveland Browns’ Duke Johnson and now New York Giants rookie Saquon Barkley. They’re more than running backs; they’re offensive weapons.

The value of each increases exponentially based on their ability to contribute in the passing game. White is as productive as any of them when used as a wide receiver, according to NFL Next Gen Stats:

White has led or tied for the team lead in receptions in six of eight contests this season. In fact, his 55 receptions through eight games are the third-best performance by a running back in league history, according to ESPN Stats & Info (via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss). Currently, the fifth-year back ranks seventh overall in receptions ahead of standout wide receivers like the Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones, Houston Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins, Green Bay Packers’ Davante Adams and Browns’ Jarvis Landry.

“He’s got to start sharing,” Gronkowski said earlier this month, per Henry McKenna of USA Today‘s Patriots Wire. “No, it’s well-deserved. The way that he focuses on his detail, on the route, the way he knows how to get open and just the little tiny details he knows how to do exactly on point to get open.

Gronk’s comments were made in jest, but a kernel of truth exists in his initial statement.

The tight end has been the focal point of the offense for an extended period of time due to his ability to create mismatches. He’s still a very large part of the pass game, but the Bills found a way to disrupt his rhythm and overall effectiveness by manhandling the 6’6″, 268-pound target. Buffalo linebacker Matt Milano bullied him to a degree. Gronkowski didn’t get any free releases and fought with Bills defenders all the way down the field. It took him out of his element since he’s usually the one determining the level of physicality.

Gronkowski managed only three receptions for 43 yards Monday.

Furthermore, the four-time first-team All-Pro isn’t the most reliable option. He missed last week’s contest against the Chicago Bears due to a back injury. A litany of injuries continue to mount, and he hasn’t played a full 16-game slate since the 2011 campaign.

Gordon, meanwhile, isn’t reliable in general. He wore out his welcome in Cleveland long ago due to numerous suspensions and missteps along the way. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Gordon would be disciplined during the Bills contest because of tardiness, yet the mercurial wide receiver was on the field in his usual starting spot when the contest began.

However, the thought of “Here we go again” had to arise within the Patriots’ fan base. The 27-year-old receiver is truly gifted, and he’s performed well since the trade. Although, he’s only one screw-up from never playing again.

Even Edelman, who led the team with 104 receiving yards Monday, hasn’t been the same consistent presence after serving a four-game suspension due to a violation of the policy against using performance-enhancing drugs. He averaged 49 receiving yards per game before his breakout against the Bills.

As good as each of those three options are, White is the true difference-maker. His eight total touchdowns lead the Patriots, while his six receiving scores top running backs across the league.

White is a perfect fit in New England’s scheme and delivers in each contest. The Patriots know he’s the driving force behind their current offensive success.

“We have a ton of confidence in James,” Belichick said, per Volin. “He does everything well for us.”

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter:@brentsobleski.