Jay Ajayi: Week 16 Film Breakdown

I loved the trade for Jay Ajayi. Whereas some people thought he was a little overrated and just a one-year wonder, I saw a really good talent that was stuck on a bad team. My expectations for him are pretty high, not only for this season but for the next few as well.

Each week I will be examining each of his snaps and will break down all of the ones I find significant. I’ll be looking at not only his runs but how he does in the passing game as a receiver and a blocker as well.

Week 16 vs Oakland Raiders

Jay Ajayi played 28 snaps (41.2%) while getting 16 total touches. It wasn’t his best game, but he was able to reach the end zone for the 2nd time as a Philadelphia Eagle.

1st quarter, 9:07 mark, 1st & 10 at Phi 42

On last week’s breakdown I talked about how Ajayi does a good job of running parallel to the line of scrimmage on designed outside runs before making his cut upfield, and this play is another example of that. On this outside zone run to the left side he runs toward the sideline, with his hips and shoulders squared, and then accelerates through the running lane created by Jason Kelce (#62) and Hal Vaitai (#72). Chance Warmack (#67) is already several yards up the field making a block on linebacker NaVorro Bowman (#53). Ajayi is able to slip through the arm tackle of defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (#94) and keep his balance for a few extra yards before betting tackled by defensive back Reggie Nelson (#27). We’ve seen Ajayi be successful on these types of runs before, and this was no different.

1st quarter, 2:59 mark, 2nd & 8 at Oak 17

Ajayi’s touchdown score in this game proved to be pivotal as it was the team’s only offensive touchdown of the evening. It came on a screen play with the Eagles in the red zone, and as usual it’s Jason Kelce leading the way. Ajayi catches the ball at the 24-yard line with several blockers in front of him and plenty of room to run. He does another beautiful job at setting up his blocks by heading slightly toward the left sideline first, allowing Warmack and Kelce to get the angle on cornerback TJ Carrie (#38) and Reggie Nelson, respectively. Kelce does a great job of eliminating Nelson, but Warmack lets Carrie get an inside step on him. It can be argued that Warmack gets away with a penalty here, but it does go uncalled. Ajayi is able to maneuver past Carrie’s arm swipe as well as cornerback Antonio Hamilton’s (#32) attempted tackle. With 3 defenders closing in, he doesn’t take any chances and dives for the goal line. Successful screen plays require precise timing, effective blocking upfield, and really good vision by the runner to set up the appropriate blocks. Not every running back can run screens at a high level, but Ajayi has shown that he definitely can.

1st quarter, 0:56 mark, 2nd & 8 at Phi 22

Here’s a play where Ajayi should have shown a little more patience. This run looks like it’s designed to attack the B-gap with Trey Burton (#88) serving as an H-back and the lead block. Ajayi takes a couple of stutter steps, waiting for Burton to block NaVorro Bowman. It looks as though there’s some confusion on Burton’s part, as he first gets behind Jason Kelce and Brandon Brooks (#79) for some reason, which throws off the timing of the run. Ajayi proceeds to hit the hole in anticipation of Burton providing the lead block on the linebacker, but it’s a second early as Burton is too late to engage with Bowman. Bowman gets a shoulder into Ajayi and the run gains only 1-yard.

2nd quarter, 15:00 mark, 2nd & 8 at Phi 30

Great running backs are the ones who are consistently able to make something out of nothing, and Ajayi does just that here. It’s a play-action pass play with 13 personnel. After carrying out the play fake, Ajayi chips on edge rusher Khalil Mack and then releases into the flat. Nick Foles (#9) checks down to him and he’s left one on one with linebacker Marquel Lee (#55). Ajayi makes this look easy. He gets Lee flat footed and stationary by squaring him up and giving him several hesitation moves before finally losing him with a juke. What could have been a 1 or 2-yard loss ends up being a 4-yard gain.

3rd quarter, 4:05 mark, 2nd & 10 at Oak 44

What could have been Ajayi’s best play of the game quickly turned into his worst. It’s a power run play with Brandon Brooks pulling to the strong side C-gap. Everyone executes their blocks beautifully and Ajayi easily follows Brooks’ lead, quickly getting to the second level of the defense. He makes an absolute sick cut on a dime to avoid both Reggie Nelson and safety Karl Joseph (#42). He stumbles from Joseph’s attempted arm tackle but regains his balance enough to stay upright after running into cornerback Dexter McDonald (#23). Ajayi shows his strength and power here by pushing forward for extra yards despite having 2 defenders on him. It takes a 3rd guy in Khalil Mack to come in and bring him down. However, the monumental mistake Ajayi makes is not securing the ball. If you remember weeks ago during the game against the Bears, he fumbled on his way to the end zone because he was trying to escape a tackle using his right arm, leaving the ball exposed for the trailing defender to come in and strip it loose. On this play, Ajayi is trying to gain as much yardage as he can but loses the ball in the processes because he doesn’t secure it with both arms. That is a fundamental thing that all ball carriers know. Protecting the football is the top priority, especially when you’re in the middle of a pile up like this.

Stats: 14 carries, 52 yards rushing, 2 catches, 21 yards receiving, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost

Overall Grade: C

This will be the last post of my weekly Jay Ajayi film breakdown series. It’s kind of fitting that the first one I wrote was for a game against an AFC West opponent with the team wearing their blackout uniforms and included Ajayi scoring a touchdown by diving into the end zone.

A big reason why I started writing these was because I wanted to take a very close look at Ajayi and show why I believe he’s talented enough to be the team’s new franchise running back. He’s shown that he’s a complete package as a running back, displaying outstanding power and balance to go with excellent agility and elusiveness. He might not have great top-end speed but his acceleration is exceptional. His receiving skills are also underrated and have been underutilized so far, and I’d like to see him implemented in different ways as a receiver out of the backfield as well as split out in the formation. Ajayi’s setbacks include having some lapses with his vision and decisiveness by bouncing runs to the outside, while also occasionally missing an assignment in pass protection. But what’s been encouraging is that he’s improved in those areas each week. The Eagles have to lean on Ajayi to lead the running attack in the playoffs. His ability to grind out yards as well as come up with huge gains are going to be needed, and I believe he can and will provide them should he be given the opportunities to do so.