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Super Bowl LII: Breaking down the top 5 matchups to watch

By Jay Marsdale

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates at the line of scrimmage during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates at the line of scrimmage during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/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: RB Jay Ajayi (PHI) vs. Patriots rush defense

The Eagles need their midseason acquisition, running back Jay Ajayi, to come up huge in the biggest game of his career, Super Bowl LII. Ajayi was brought in to be the main running back for this offense and add balance to a pass-happy team. Now Ajayi is filling a much larger role in the Eagles success than expected.

The Eagles offensive philosophy has done a complete 180. With the loss starting quarterback Carson Wentz, Ajayi and the Philadelphia running game is the focal point of this offense. Ajayi needs to take the burden off of quarterback Nick Foles early in this game.

Ajayi has proven he can be a lead back in the NFL from his time in Miami. He has yet to have one of those big games since joining the Eagles. This is a player who has rushed for over 200 yards in one game three different times. He is more than capable of carrying this team to a Super Bowl victory with one of those kinds of performances.

The Patriots are not going to make it easy on him, though. Bill Belichick knows that Ajayi is the man to stop for Philadelphia. He is going to throw everything at him. Ajayi is going to see a crowded line of scrimmage all game long.

Belichick is going to try to force the Eagles to beat them passing the ball.

In order for the Eagles to win, they need to stay balanced on offense. Stick with Ajayi early on in the game to soften up the defense. Don’t abandon the running attack. That is just what the Patriots want. They want to see Foles throw the ball 30 times. They do not want to see Jay Ajayi and the other Philadelphia running backs running the ball 30 times in this one.

Running the ball allows the Eagles to control the clock and keep Tom Brady on the sidelines. As long as Brady isn’t on the field, he can’t hurt you. The Eagles can’t try to get into a shootout with the Patriots. New England has far too much talent on offense and will win that battle every time.

Ajayi and a consistent running game are key to the Eagles success in Super Bowl LII.