Jay Ajayi led all Eagles players with 98 yards from scrimmage en route to a 15-10 postseason win over the Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday (see observations). It was Ajayi's first NFL playoff victory, and the Eagles' first since January 2009.
Yet, afterward, Ajayi was not entirely satisfied with his own performance.
"I feel like I did some of the job," Ajayi said in the locker room postgame. "To be honest, I feel like I played poorly though."
Ajayi was explosive in the first quarter, carrying the football seven times for 49 yards in the opening period. And while his success on the ground came to a screeching halt thereafter, the third-year running back remained a threat as a receiver, his 32-yard reception in the third quarter going for the Eagles' longest play. Most importantly, had won the game.
Yet, to Ajayi, the effort was something of a disappointment. He fumbled on his first touch of the contest, which led to a Falcons touchdown, and later dropped a pass on third down, ending an Eagles' trip inside the red zone.
"Obviously, the fumble, first carry, can't do that, big game, and then the drop as well," Ajayi said. "I feel I could've executed a lot better today. It's a great team win today. A lot of the teammates picked up the slack. Defense played lights out, other RBs made a lot of plays.
"Coming in next week, I need to play better."
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The magnitude of winning a dvisional round playoff game and advancing to the conference championship - one victory away from a trip to the Super Bowl - was not lost on Ajayi. But he also knows putting the ball on the carpet is exactly the type of miscue that could cause the Eagles to get bounced from the postseason.
In fact, it very nearly resulted in just that outcome against the Falcons.
"It's playoff football. You can't put the ball out on the ground. I've always prided myself on holding the ball, so just have to nip that in the bud basically and get back to what I know how to do - holding the ball, running people over and making people miss."
Ajayi's hot start was derailed in part by his own coach. Doug Pederson stuck with his workhorse back following the turnover, but Ajayi went missing in quarter two, touching the ball just once.
When the Eagles tried to get back to Ajayi in the second half, the Falcons had seemingly adjusted. He carried eight times for five yards in the second half, though he added two receptions for 35 yards.
"They were probably more determined," Ajayi said. "We had a great first half running the ball, so they probably went in and made some changes. They were determined not to let us do it, but all credit to offense still finding ways to move the balls, make plays and get in position in the red zone."
Touching on another area where the Eagles must improve, Ajayi noted the offense needed to find ways to punch the ball into the end zone rather than settle for three points.
The Eagles went one-for-three inside the red zone. They crossed the goal line only once in the contest, but kicked three field goals. It's unclear whether Ajayi's drop would've resulted in a first down, but overall, the production was not what he had hoped for.
"We have to be better in the red zone," Ajayi said. "We didn't score touchdowns today, and we're going to need to win the Super Bowl or win the NFC Championship.
"Coming back this week, that will probably be a big emphasis - red-zone football, and definitely ball handling as well."
The experience wasn't all negative for Ajayi. Though he feels the need to clean up some mistakes before the Eagles' next game, hosting either the Vikings or the Saints, it was good enough to get the job done.
"I feel like I left some plays out there," Ajayi said. "I definitely have to work during the week to make sure I execute, but great job as a team of finding a way to win and everyone else stepping up and making big plays when we needed it."
