2015 NFL Playoffs: top 10 performers of the Divisional Round

Nov 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

9. Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore lost, but that shouldn’t take away from Forsett’s performance. The NFL’s league-leading rusher in terms of yards per carry posted 5.4 yards per attempt against New England – right on par with his season average. He also added a receiving touchdown to go with 129 rushing yards. Forsett did a nice job running outside of the tackles and finding small holes to break big runs – it seems as if he gained ten yards every time he touched the ball.

Sister FanSided site The Baltimore Wire wrote about Forsett’s style of running:

“Forsett excelled at finding the hole or the cutback lane. From there, he would explode through the hole, then use his superb lower body strength to slip through defenders who tried to tackle him from behind.”

Forsett displayed that outstanding cutback ability again on Saturday. While he isn’t necessarily a flashy player who makes exceptionally eye-opening plays, he’s a smart football player who excelled this season and stood out on Saturday. His stats aren’t mind-blowing, but he consistently put up big performances in 2014.

Offensively, Forsett was one of the only bright spots throughout the whole game. Joe Flacco played well in the first half, but threw two interceptions, the second a game-sealing turnover. Forsett was Baltimore’s most consistent player on Saturday. The Ravens should’ve given him the ball 35 times if it meant keeping the ball away from Tom Brady (and Joe Flacco, for that matter – he’s usually reliable in the postseason, but apparently not last Saturday).

Forsett will become a free agent this March if the Ravens don’t re-sign him before then. He said he would love to stay in Baltimore.

Next: A game changer for the Patriots