Dion Lewis runs his way to a career-best day against Dolphins

FOXBOROUGH — Trying to tackle Dion Lewis is like trying to tackle a puff of smoke.

The shifty running back was at his elusive best on Sunday against the Dolphins, picking up 112 yards on 15 carries for a whopping 7.5 yards per carry in the 35-17 win. It marked the first time all season that New England had a running back top the 100-yard mark, and it also represented a season-high in terms of rushing yardage for the team (196 yards).

It was also a career-high for Lewis in terms of rushing yardage. It's the latest sign that he's becoming the leader among the Patriots’ already impressive collection of running backs.



“He did a tremendous job today,” said Rex Burkhead, who added 13 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. “He was making guys miss, finishing runs and really just giving this offense a spark of energy. It’s fun to watch, and all of the running backs really enjoy it.”

Dipping and dodging between linemen, he’s very different than the smash-mouth style favored by most between-the-tackles backs, including the LeGarette Blount (Force Trauma) style favored by New England the last couple of years. But that elusiveness makes him a unique weapon in the Patriots’ scheme. Against a relatively stout run defense, Lewis had three carries of 20-plus yards against Miami, all of which came between the tackles.

On an occasionally strange afternoon that featured some chippiness on both sides, a drunken fan running on the field in the second half and multiple injuries on both sides, Lewis provided a spark when the New England offense needed a pick-me-up.

Asked if he was able to give a jolt to the Patriots, Lewis shrugged.

“My job is to protect the ball and make plays,” he said. “That’s my job in the offense, and that’s what I try to do every game. Just protect the ball and make plays when I get the opportunity.

“The O-line did a great job,” Lewis said when asked about his performance. “They did a great job blocking the whole game. The running game was definitely open all day so I just had to take advantage of space when I get it.”

While the Patriots have an array of backs they can call upon down the stretch and into the playoffs, you would have to believe that Lewis has now emerged as the primary threat on the ground. The Pitt product, who is just now rounding back into form after a devastating knee injury in 2015, leads the Patriots in carries (97), yards (498) and yards per carry (5.1, best among those with at least 20 carries).

“You try to get as many guys around him,” said Devin McCourty. “But he runs with so much confidence and he runs with anger at times. I think a lot of people think because he's a little guy you can get a hand or two on him and you'll be able to bring him down. But for me, since college I've played him, he’s always been tough to bring down.

“Not just juking guys, but getting angles on guys and trying to make them make tackles with one arm. He's going to run through those arm tackles,” he added. “He was big for us (Sunday) — really all year in the running game and the passing game. (Dion) being able to step up and make plays has been big for us.”