BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Panthers rookie running back Christian McCaffrey had a front row seat to just how disruptive the Eagles' defense can be, in a Week 6 28-23 Eagles victory at Bank of America Stadium, and a taste of what the New England Patriots running backs will be up against Sunday in Super Bowl LII.
McCaffrey is part of a new wave of dual-threat running backs who are equally adept at catching the ball and making plays out of the backfield, as he is as a ball-carrier and finished the season with 435 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 80 receptions for 651 yards and five more scores.
The Eagles, though, held McCaffrey to eight rushing yards but he caught 10 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
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Four-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots love throwing the ball to running backs Dion Lewis and James White out of the backfield, but McCaffrey thinks this could be a tough matchup for the AFC Champions.
"The Eagles defense just plays so well together," McCaffrey told NJ Advance Media Friday on Radio Row at the Mall of America. "That I think they're disciplined and that's why it's going to be such a great game. The Eagles defense just has so much talent all over the place. If they can stay disciplined, I think it will be a great game."
The Eagles' defense finished the regular season with the league's premier rushing defense and No. 4 unit overall, and McCaffrey says that he wasn't surprised to see their production this season.
"I think obviously, they're talented all over the place," McCaffrey said. "But the biggest thing is they play so well together. They thrive off momentum. When they get turnovers, they keep coming with them. They're a very great defense with a great front. Obviously, Fletcher Cox in the middle and guys like that. Jenkins out back, that gives them two very perennial leaders. They're definitely tough to play against."
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.