PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles running back Jay Ajayi says there's only one way he wants to pay back the Miami Dolphins for trading him and then trying to convince people that he was a cancer in the locker room: a Super Bowl appearance.
"I don't think it will be redemption until I win the Super Bowl," Ajayi said. "If we can get that done, then I'll have my redemption."
Ajayi on Saturday helped the Eagles get halfway to Super Bowl XLII, rushing for 54 tough yards on 15 carries, overcoming a first-quarter fumble, in a gritty 15-10 NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field.
Ajayi was the Eagles' leading ball carrier as the offense gained only 334 yards - but enough to get backup quarterback Nick Foles intoi next Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the winner of Sunday's NFC Divisional Playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings.
Not yet satisfied, Ajayi didn't mince words when it came to the fact that he's been driven this season to avenge the Dolphins' decision to trade him away.
"Yes," Ajayi said to NJ Advance Media, when asked if the trade has motivated him, following Saturday's 15-10 Eagles NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Falcons.
When asked if he's been out to prove the Dolphins wrong, Ajayi echoed those sentiments simply saying "yes."
Ajayi ignited the Eagles' offense in the fourth quarter, when he caught a screen pass on 3rd down and 7 with 13:16 remaining and stampeded down the sideline for a 32-yard gain.
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In order to make his first -- and help the Eagles win their first -- Super Bowl championship a reality, Ajayi says that he feels he needs to elevate his play to an even higher level over the next two games particularly after losing a fumble on the second snap of the game against the Falcons.
"I feel like I played poorly," Ajayi admitted. "Obviously the fumble on the first carry, I can't do that in a big game. I dropped a pass. I feel like I could have executed better. It was a great team win today, a lot of my teammates picked up the slack, defense stepped up, other running backs made some big plays. I just think coming in next week, I need to play better."
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.