Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Key players to beating Falcons in Divisional Round

2. Jay Ajayi, RB

Perhaps no player has ever been more rewarded while being taught a lesson than Eagles running back Jay Ajayi. After exploding onto the scene in 2016, Ajayi became a problem in the locker room for the Miami Dolphins according to reports coming from the team. Head coach Adam Gase then went on some rant about players not wanting to be there and Ajayi was used to make an example.

That example translated into the Dolphins saying “we’re dumb.” They gave up a feature running back for nothing more than a fourth-round pick. On top of that, he was sent from a team with no chance at a post season run to the No. 1 Ranked Eagles.

He’s also been much better for them than he was in Miami. Ajayi had just 3.4 yards per attempt in South Beach, but has gone for 5.8 for the Eagles. He also was able to get 408 yards in just 70 carries while the Dolphins only had 465 in nearly twice as many attempts.

On Saturday, the Eagles need to rely heavily on Ajayi. He’s averaging 10 carries per game which isn’t enough if the team wants to move on to the NFC Championship game. He may be dealing with a lingering knee issue, but the team needs what he brings.

Their other option is LeGarrette Blount, and while he’s had a fine career, Ajayi is so much more explosive. Without their MVP-caliber quarterback, that’s what they need in the 2018 NFL Playoffs.