BIG GAME PREVIEW | MATCHUPS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 2017 MEDIA GUIDE
Running Wild
W
ith so many offensive weapons at the disposal of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Eagles counterpart
Nick Foles, the team with the best running back performance may be the last one standing on Super Sunday.
The Patriots have traditionally
depended on a by-committee
approach but have found a regular
running back this season in Dion
Lewis. The Eagles traded for former
Miami Dolphins running back Jay
Ajayi during the regular season — a
move that has paid dividends in form-
ing a strong one-two punch with
LeGarrette Blount.
for 32 yards in his team’s 24-20 AFC
championship game win over the
Jacksonville Jaguars. He also gained 34
yards on two kickoff returns.
In the Patriots’ divisional-round win
over the Tennessee Titans, Lewis
touched the ball 24 times (15 rushes,
nine catches) for a team-high 141
yards from scrimmage.
The Patriots have depended on such
steady performances out of Lewis the
LEWIS: A STEADY CONTRIBUTOR entire year.
Lewis rushed nine times for 34 yards
A fifth-round pick of the
and brought in seven of eight targets
Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, Lewis was
pg 10 2018 BIG GAME
traded to the Browns in 2013. Since
landing with the Patriots, he has been
a solid contributor.
BLOUNT & AJAYI:
TWO PEAS IN A POD
The best NFL teams often have two
strong running backs to help keep
defenses off balance. The Eagles cer-
tainly fit the bill with Blount and Ajayi.
Ajayi was acquired in a trade in
October, giving the Eagles an out-
standing one-two combination of
speed and strength. We have seen the
running back position come up big in
the Super Bowl as teams turn to their
runners to control the clock late in the
game.
Blount is a perennial playoff per-
former and can wear down defenses
with his straightforward running style.
Ajayi is more elusive but still packs a
powerful punch at the line of scrim-
mage.
Blount and Ajayi could turn out to
be the difference in Super Bowl LII,
especially if the Eagles can jump out to
an early lead.