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Super Bowl LII: 5 candidates to take home the MVP award

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and New England Patriots' Tom Brady with the Pete Rozelle MVP Trophy during the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and New England Patriots' Tom Brady with the Pete Rozelle MVP Trophy during the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Jay Ajayi #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Jay Ajayi #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Running Back Jay Ajayi, Eagles

In an ideal world, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson wouldn’t have to rely on Nick Foles to toss 40 times on Super Bowl Sunday.

He might not have to. Especially if the Patriots allowed 4.7 yards per rushing attempt during the regular season — second worst in the NFL.

So why not expect a big game out of Eagles tailback Jay Ajayi?

All Ajayi has done since being acquired from the Miami Dolphins just before the NFL trade deadline is churn out an average of 5.8 yards per carry. He’ll have a great opportunity against a New England defense that has struggled against the run over the course of 2017.

Granted, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will look to take Ajayi out of the equation, forcing Foles to throw. Yet this element of the Pats defense is its weakest.

If Ajayi takes advantage, perhaps MVP awards come calling.