Philadelphia Eagles: Running backs will be key in Super Bowl 52
By Brenden Deeg
For the Philadelphia Eagles to usurp the dynastic Patriots in Super Bowl 52, their running backs are going to have to come up big on Sunday.
The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots undoubtedly took different paths to Super Bowl LII. The Patriots have been carried by quarterback Tom Brady all season, who enjoyed a monster year with 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was having an MVP caliber season before going down with a torn ACL in Week 14.
Since then, however, backup Nic k Foles has stepped in beautifully for this team, going 4-1 in the five games he’s started. Ultimately though, the Eagles defense is the main reason they will be playing in Super Bowl LII.
On the offensive side of the ball for the Eagles, though, the key may not actually involve Foles. Throughout the year, they have rotated three running backs for the majority of the time with great success. The Eagles traded a fourth round pick for Jay Ajayi just ahead of the trade deadline, and has been a huge acquisition. He has become the unofficial starter for Philadelphia, rushing for 480 yards in nine games.
The other two running backs the eagles use are LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement. Blount was the primary ball carrier before Ajayi arrived. Blount had a terrific start to the season, but has seen his play time diminish since the trade. Clement has been the Eagles’ third-down back, and has been a terrific find out of undrafted free agency. The Wisconsin product has provided a perfect change of pace option.
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All three of these running backs will be crucial for the Eagles on offense if they want to leave Minnesota as Super Bowl champions. Philadelphia’s running game has slowed down as of late, especially in the playoffs. The Eagles have only rushed for 206 yards in the playoffs on 62 attempts, which is only good for 3.3 yards a carry.
A big reason the Eagles have struggled in the run game during the postseason is that teams are stacking the box and forcing Nick Foles to beat them. This strategy was successful in the first half of the Divisional Round against the Falcons, but Foles has stepped up since. He absolutely torched the Vikings, throwing for 352 yards and three touchdowns.
Bill Belichick has always been known to shut down at least one aspect of your offense. Surely, he will stack the box early to try and shut down Ajayi and the Eagles running game. Philly has to find a way to scheme around it and get Ajayi open running room.
The Philadelphia backs will also be very important in the passing game. Ajayi and Clement have been essential for the Eagles in the passing game so far in the playoffs, combining for 12 catches for 109 yards. Head coach Doug Pederson is one of the best at designing screen plays. He has to find a way to get creative and get his running backs the ball with open space.
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These running backs must step up and take some pressure off of quarterback Nick Foles by establishing a multi-faceted offensive attack. If the Eagles can utilize their running backs and get them the ball in space, they should be in good shape to win Super Bowl LII.