FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s been over a decade since Steven Jackson played in a playoff game, so it’s fair to say Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs will have a little extra meaning for the veteran New England Patriots running back.
Jackson, who signed with the Patriots on Dec. 22 after being out of football for nearly a full year, has played in just two playoff games during his 12-year NFL career. Both came during the 2004 season, when Jackson played for the St. Louis Rams: an NFC Wild Card win over the Seattle Seahawks, followed by a 30-point loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round.
Fast forward more than a decade later, where Jackson is gearing up for what he hopes is a much deeper postseason run.
“It’s a long time coming for me, personally,” Jackson said Tuesday. “The last two or three weeks have been a whirlwind once again, but I think getting ready for this week and realizing the opportunity ahead of me, it’s one that I want to be well-prepared for and now take advantage of.”
With LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis sidelined for the season, the opportunity certainly is there for Jackson to play a major role in the postseason. Yet the 32-year-old knows his time in the league is running short, and admitted Tuesday the Patriots’ postseason success played a major role in his decision to pick up the phone when Bill Belichick called a few weeks ago.
“Well, this is why,” Jackson said. “We’re at this point now. I understood that this is probably the last opportunity that I will have a significant chance to win a Super Bowl.”
Yet Jackson certainly isn’t looking ahead to Santa Clara. Instead, he’s focused on Saturday and relishing the opportunity to play in his third postseason game.
“This is the week,” he said. “Now we’re talking about why I decided to take Coach (up) on the offer.”
Thumbnail photo via Kathy Willens/Associated Press
