Could Dion Lewis Be The Difference In This Years Super Bowl?
New England signed Dion Lewis, an undersized receiving back, right before the 2014-15 playoffs. Lewis was brought back to the Patriots’ roster for the 2015 season and found a home in New England after only playing seven games, before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
Lewis established himself before being placed on IR, ending his season. New England was 7-0, during games Lewis was active.
Coming into this season, Lewis was still battling the ACL. The team was very cautious in bringing him back, due to his surgery not going perfect, creating a longer time period in which Lewis couldn’t begin rehab.
The team activated Dion Lewis in week 11 against San Francisco, making his return. Although Lewis was not a huge factor during the 2016 regular season, he eased his way back to playing effective football and the Patriots went undefeated again when Lewis was active, they’re now 16-0 when he plays.
The Patriots have never lost a game in which running back Dion Lewis has played — seriously. https://t.co/jOjnbmyUKb #Patriots #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/INLCCe0XCo
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 31, 2017
During the first game of the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl, Lewis exploded. He became the first player in NFL-history to have a rushing, receiving and a return TD in a playoff game, dominating Houston and carrying New England into their sixth straight AFC Championship game.
Going into the Super Bowl, Lewis is looking to be the difference, but is grateful not only to be playing in the Super Bowl, but to be playing at all.
“It feels great now, just to be playing.” Lewis said. “That’s the most important part for me is just to be able to play football, it’s just what I love to do.”
The one-two punch of Lewis and LeGarrette Blount should be a scare for the Falcons’ defense. Although the Atlanta defense went through a major jump-start throughout their season, they ended up in the bottom half of rushing defenses in the NFL. Coach Bill Belichick will work to exploit the Atlanta defense to win his fifth Super Bowl as a Head Coach.
