New England Patriots: Ranking Top 5 Disappointing Playoff Performers
By Hal Bent
Dion Lewis
On one hand, I feel bad putting Dion Lewis on this list. Lewis was the workhorse at running back in the second-half of the season for the New England Patriots. However, in the playoffs and particularly in the Super Bowl, Lewis did not have a big performance.
Lewis actually played well in the Divisional round against the Tennessee Titans pounding out 62 yards on the ground and adding nine receptions for 79 yards. Things started coming apart in the AFC Championship game as Lewis was held to just 34 yards rushing on nine attempts. He had seven catches but for only 32 yards. He also had a costly fumble with sloppy ball carrying after his reception from Danny Amendola on a trick play.
In the Super Bowl, Lewis never got on track in the running game. He had just nine rushing attempts for 39 yards. He gained 29 of those yards on his first five carries in the first half. In the second half he had just ten yards on four carries and the Patriots turned to James White for much of the rest of the game.
Lewis was able to run the ball effectively while doubling as a receiving threat out of the backfield. In the Super Bowl, he was ineffectual as a runner and was not involved in the passing game at all. If New England were able to establish the running game they may have been able to shorten the game by running the clock and keeping the explosive Eagles’ offense on the sidelines.