For more than two decades, Curtis Martin’s stunning 1995 rookie season has seemed insurmountable — an achievement that would remain the New England Patriots’ gold standard in perpetuity. Statistically, it probably is. Martin rushed for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 30 passes for 261 yards and another TD.

Just 14 rookies in NFL history have had 1,700 or more yards from scrimmage – and only six of those players also scored 15 or more TDs. His is unarguably one of the great NFL debuts of all time.

Still, Sony Michel is starting off hotter than Martin did, and while there are a lot of other weapons around him, he proved on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs that he can reliably carry the ball more than 20 times a game, and can be the power-runner they need in the red zone.

Michel has the fifth-most yards from scrimmage of any Patriots rookie ever through six games, and the fourth-most for an RB. His four TDs are also tied for second-most by a rookie through six games, the exception being Robert Edwards back in 1998.