List of the Day: Progression of Individual Season Rushing Record

Eric Dickerson

NOTE: The NFL first began tracking individual rushing yards in 1932. Information not available for the first three AFLs (1926, 1936-37, 1940-41)

NFL
576- Cliff Battles, Boston Braves, 1932
(148 att., 3.9 avg., 3 TD)

809- Jim Musick, Boston Redskins, 1933
(173 att., 4.7 avg., 5 TD)

1004- Beattie Feathers, Chicago Bears, 1934
(119 att., 8.4 avg., 8 TD)

1008- Steve Van Buren, Philadelphia Eagles, 1947
(217 att., 4.6 avg., 13 TD)

1146- Steve Van Buren, Philadelphia Eagles, 1949
(263 att., 4.4 avg., 11 TD)

1527- Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, 1958
(257 att., 5.9 avg., 17 TD)

1863- Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, 1963
(291 att., 6.4 avg., 12 TD)

2003- O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, 1973
(332 att., 6.0 avg., 12 TD)

2105- Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams, 1984
(379 att., 5.6 avg., 14 TD)


Steve Van Buren



Jim Brown


AAFC (1946-49)
709- Spec Sanders, New York Yankees, 1946
(140 att., 5.1 avg., 6 TD)

1432- Spec Sanders, New York Yankees, 1947
(231 att., 6.2 avg., 18 TD)


AFL (1960-69)
875- Abner Haynes, Dallas Texans, 1960
(156 att., 5.6 avg., 9 TD)

948- Billy Cannon, Houston Oilers, 1961
(200 att., 4.7 avg., 6 TD)

1096- Cookie Gilchrist, Buffalo Bills, 1962
(214 att., 5.1 avg., 13 TD)

1099- Clem Daniels, Oakland Raiders, 1963
(215 att., 5.1 avg., 3 TD)

1121- Paul Lowe, San Diego Chargers, 1965
(222 att., 5.0 avg., 6 TD)

1458- Jim Nance, Boston Patriots, 1966
(299 att., 4.9 avg., 11 TD)





Jim Nance


WFL (1974-75)
1576- Tommy Reamon, Florida Blazers, 1974
(386 att., 4.1 avg., 11 TD)


USFL (1983-85)
1812- Herschal Walker, New Jersey Generals, 1983
(412 att., 4.4 avg., 17 TD)

2411- Herschel Walker, New Jersey Generals, 1985
(438 att., 5.5 avg., 21 TD)


XFL (2001)
800- John Avery, Chicago Enforcers
(150 att., 5.3 avg., 5 TD)


Herschel Walker

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 2000s AFC

Jamal Lewis

TOP 10
1- Jamal Lewis, 2003 Baltimore Ravens
2066 yards, 387 att., 5.3 avg., 14 TD

2- Chris Johnson, 2009 Tennessee Titans
2006 yards, 358 att., 5.6 avg., 14 TD

3- Ricky Williams, 2002 Miami Dolphins
1853 yards, 383 att., 4.8 avg., 16 TD

4- LaDainian Tomlinson, 2006 San Diego Chargers
1815 yards, 348 att., 5.2 avg., 28 TD

5- Larry Johnson, 2006 Kansas City Chiefs
1789 yards, 416 att., 4.3 avg., 17 TD

6- Larry Johnson, 2005 Kansas City Chiefs
1750 yards, 336 att., 5.2 avg., 20 TD

7- Edgerrin James, 2000 Indianapolis Colts
1709 yards, 387 att., 4.4 avg., 13 TD

8- Curtis Martin, 2004 New York Jets
1697 yards, 371 att., 4.6 avg., 12 TD

9- LaDainian Tomlinson, 2002 San Diego Chargers
1683 yards, 372 att., 4.5 avg., 14 TD

10-LaDainian Tomlinson, 2003 San Diego Chargers
1645 yards, 313 att., 5.3 avg., 13 TD


Chris Johnson



Ricky Williams



LaDainian Tomlinson

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
New England Patriots: Corey Dillon, 2004
1635 yards, 345 att., 4.7 avg., 12 TD

Denver Broncos: Clinton Portis, 2003
1591 yards, 290 att., 5.5 avg., 14 TD

Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Taylor, 2003
1572 yards, 345 att., 4.6 avg., 6 TD

Pittsburgh Steelers: Willie Parker, 2006
1494 yards, 337 att., 4.4 avg., 13 TD

Cincinnati Bengals: Rudi Johnson, 2005
1458 yards, 337 att., 4.3 avg., 12 TD

Buffalo Bills: Travis Henry, 2002
1438 yards, 325 att., 4.4 avg., 13 TD

Cleveland Browns: Jamal Lewis, 2007
1304 yards, 298 att., 4.4 avg., 9 TD

Houston Texans: Steve Slaton, 2008*
1282 yards, 268 att., 4.8 avg., 9 TD

Oakland Raiders: Tyrone Wheatley, 2000
1046 yards, 232 att., 4.5 avg., 9 TD

* Texans joined NFL in 2002


Larry Johnson



Edgerrin James



Curtis Martin



Corey Dillon

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 2000s NFC

Ahman Green

TOP 10
1- Ahman Green, 2003 Green Bay Packers
1883 yards, 355 att., 5.3 avg., 15 TD

2- Shaun Alexander, 2005 Seattle Seahawks
1880 yards, 370 att., 5.1 avg., 27 TD

3- Tiki Barber, 2005 New York Giants
1860 yards, 357 att., 5.2 avg., 9 TD

4- Adrian Peterson, 2008 Minnesota Vikings
1760 yards, 363 att., 4.8 avg., 10 TD

5- Michael Turner, 2008 Atlanta Falcons
1699 yards, 376 att., 4.5 avg., 17 TD

6- Shaun Alexander, 2004 Seattle Seahawks
1696 yards, 353 att., 4.8 avg., 16 TD

7- Frank Gore, 2006 San Francisco 49ers
1695 yards, 312 att., 5.4 avg., 8 TD

8- Tiki Barber, 2006 New York Giants
1662 yards, 327 att., 5.1 avg., 5 TD

9- Deuce McAllister, 2003 New Orleans Saints
1641 yards, 351 att., 4.7 avg., 8 TD

10-Steven Jackson, 2006 St. Louis Rams
1528 yards, 346 att., 4.4 avg., 13 TD


Shaun Alexander



Tiki Barber



Adrian Peterson

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Washington Redskins: Clinton Portis, 2005
1516 yards, 352 att., 4.3 avg., 11 TD

Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams, 2008
1515 yards, 273 att., 5.5 avg., 18 TD

Chicago Bears: Thomas Jones, 2005
1335 yards, 314 att., 4.3 avg., 9 TD

Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Westbrook, 2007
1333 yards, 278 att., 4.8 avg., 7 TD

Arizona Cardinals: Edgerrin James, 2007
1222 yards; 324 att., 3.8 avg., 7 TD

Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt Smith, 2000
1203 yards, 294 att., 4.1 avg., 9 TD

Detroit Lions: James Stewart, 2000
1184 yards, 339 att., 3.5 avg., 10 TD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cadillac Williams, 2005
1178 yards, 290 att., 4.1 avg., 6 TD


Michael Turner



Frank Gore



Deuce McAllister



Steven Jackson

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 1990s AFC

Terrell Davis

TOP 10
1- Terrell Davis, 1998 Denver Broncos
2008 yards, 392 att., 5.1 avg., 21 TD

2- Terrell Davis, 1997 Denver Broncos
1750 yards, 369 att., 4.7 avg., 15 TD

3- Barry Foster, 1992 Pittsburgh Steelers
1690 yards, 390 att., 4.3 avg., 11 TD

4- Jerome Bettis, 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers
1665 yards, 375 att., 4.4 avg., 7 TD

5- Edgerrin James, 1999 Indianapolis Colts
1553 yards, 369 att., 4.2 avg., 13 TD

6- Chris Warren, 1994 Seattle Seahawks
1545 yards, 333 att., 4.6 avg., 9 TD

7- Terrell Davis, 1996 Denver Broncos
1538 yards, 345 att., 4.5 avg., 13 TD

8(tied)- Thurman Thomas, 1992 Buffalo Bills
1487 yards, 312 att., 4.8 avg., 9 TD

8(tied)- Curtis Martin, 1995 New England Patriots
1487 yards, 368 att., 4.0 avg., 14 TD

10-Curtis Martin, 1999 New York Jets
1464 yards, 367 att., 4.0 avg., 5 TD


Barry Foster



Jerome Bettis



Chris Warren

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Houston/Tennessee: Eddie George, 1997
1399 yards, 357 att., 3.9 avg., 6 TD

San Diego Chargers: Natrone Means, 1994
1350 yards, 343 att., 3.9 avg., 12 TD

LA/Oakland Raiders: Napoleon Kaufman, 1997
1294 yards, 272 att., 4.8 avg., 6 TD

Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Taylor, 1998*
1223 yards, 264 att., 4.6 avg., 14 TD

Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Dillon, 1999
1200 yards, 263 att., 4.6 avg., 5 TD

Miami Dolphins: Karim Abdul-Jabbar, 1996
1116 yards, 307 att., 3.6 avg., 11 TD

Kansas City Chiefs: Christian Okoye, 1991
1031 yards, 225 att., 4.6 avg., 9 TD

Baltimore Ravens: Priest Holmes, 1998**
1008 yards, 233 att., 4.3 avg., 7 TD

Cleveland Browns: Leroy Hoard, 1994***
890 yards, 209 att., 4.3 avg., 5 TD

* Jaguars joined NFL in 1995
** Ravens joined NFL in 1996 from relocated Browns franchise
*** Includes original Browns franchise, 1990-95, plus new Browns franchise that joined NFL in 1999


Thurman Thomas



Curtis Martin



Eddie George



Natrone Means

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 1990s NFC

Barry Sanders

TOP 10
1- Barry Sanders, 1997 Detroit Lions
2053 yards, 335 att., 6.1 avg., 11 TD

2- Barry Sanders, 1994 Detroit Lions
1883 yards, 331 att., 5.7 avg., 7 TD

3- Jamal Anderson, 1998 Atlanta Falcons
1846 yards, 410 att., 4.5 avg., 14 TD

4- Emmitt Smith, 1995 Dallas Cowboys
1773 yards, 377 att., 4.7 avg., 25 TD

5- Emmitt Smith, 1992 Dallas Cowboys
1713 yards, 373 att., 4.6 avg., 18 TD

6- Garrison Hearst, 1998 San Francisco 49ers
1570 yards, 310 att., 5.1 avg., 7 TD

7- Emmitt Smith, 1991 Dallas Cowboys
1563 yards, 365 att., 4.3 avg., 12 TD

8- Barry Sanders, 1996 Detroit Lions
1553 yards, 307 att., 5.1 avg., 11 TD

9- Barry Sanders, 1991 Detroit Lions
1548 yards, 342 att., 4.5 avg., 16 TD

10-Barry Sanders, 1995 Detroit Lions
1500 yards, 314 att., 4.8 avg., 11 TD


Emmitt Smith



Jamal Anderson



Garrison Hearst

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Green Bay Packers: Dorsey Levens, 1997
1435 yards, 329 att., 4.4 avg., 7 TD

LA/St. Louis Rams: Jerome Bettis, 1993
1429 yards, 294 att., 4.9 avg., 7 TD

Philadelphia Eagles: Ricky Watters, 1996
1411 yards, 353 att., 4.0 avg., 13 TD

Washington Redskins: Stephen Davis, 1999
1405 yards, 290 att., 4.8 avg., 17 TD

Minnesota Vikings: Robert Smith, 1997
1266 yards, 232 att., 5.5 avg., 6 TD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Errict Rhett, 1995
1207 yards, 332 att., 3.6 avg., 11 TD

New York Giants: Rodney Hampton, 1995
1182 yards, 306 att., 3.9 avg., 10 TD

Carolina Panthers: Anthony Johnson, 1996*
1120 yards, 300 att., 3.7 avg., 6 TD

Chicago Bears: Neal Anderson, 1990
1078 yards, 260 att., 4.1 avg., 10 TD

Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals: Garrison Hearst, 1995
1070 yards, 284 att., 3.8 avg., 1 TD

New Orleans Saints: Mario Bates, 1995
951 yards, 244 att., 3.9 avg., 7 TD

* Panthers joined NFL in 1995


Dorsey Levens



Jerome Bettis



Ricky Watters

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, USFL

(1983-85)


Herschel Walker

TOP 10
1- Herschel Walker, 1985 New Jersey Generals
2411 yards, 438 att., 5.5 avg., 21 TD

2- Herschel Walker, 1983 New Jersey Generals
1812 yards, 412 att., 4.4 avg., 17 TD

3- Joe Cribbs, 1984 Birmingham Stallions
1467 yards, 297 att., 4.9 avg., 8 TD

4- Kelvin Bryant, 1983 Philadelphia Stars
1442 yards, 318 att., 4.5 avg., 16 TD

5- Kelvin Bryant, 1984 Philadelphia Stars
1406 yards, 297 att., 4.7 avg., 13 TD

6- Mike Rozier, 1985 Jacksonville Bulls
1361 yards, 320 att., 4.3 avg., 12 TD

7- Herschel Walker, 1984 New Jersey Generals
1339 yards, 293 att., 4.6 avg., 16 TD

8- Buford Jordan, 1984 New Orleans Breakers
1276 yards, 214 att., 6.0 avg., 8 TD

9- Bill Johnson, 1985 Denver Gold
1261 yards, 212 att., 5.9 avg., 15 TD

10-Tim Spencer, 1984 Arizona Wranglers
1212 yards, 227 att., 5.3 avg., 17 TD


Joe Cribbs



Kelvin Bryant



Mike Rozier

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Tampa Bay Bandits: Gary Anderson, 1985
1207 yards, 276 att., 4.4 avg., 16 TD

Michigan Panthers: Ken Lacy, 1983*
1180 yards, 232 att., 5.1 avg., 6 TD

Chicago Blitz: Tim Spencer, 1983*
1157 yards, 300 att., 3.9 avg., 6 TD

Washington/Orlando: Curtis Bledsoe, 1984
1080 yards, 246 att., 4.4 avg., 7 TD

Oakland Invaders: Arthur Whittington, 1983
1043 yards, 282 att., 3.7 avg., 6 TD

Okla./Arizona Outlaws: Reggie Brown, 1985**
1031 yards, 229 att., 4.5 avg., 12 TD

Houston Gamblers: Todd Fowler, 1984**
1003 yards, 170 att., 5.9 avg., 11 TD

Los Angeles Express: Kevin Nelson, 1984
828 yards, 216 att., 3.8 avg., 7 TD

Pittsburgh Maulers: Mike Rozier, 1984***
792 yards, 223 att., 3.6 avg., 3 TD

Memphis Showboats: Tim Spencer, 1985**
789 yards, 198 att., 4.0 avg., 3 TD

San Antonio Gunslingers: George Works, 1985**
542 yards, 93 att., 4.9 avg., 1 TD

* Team played in 1983-84 only
** Team played in 1984-85 only
*** Team played in 1984 only


Buford Jordan



Bill Johnson



Tim Spencer

List of the Day: Best Rushing Seasons, 1980s AFC

Earl Campbell

TOP 10
1- Earl Campbell, 1980 Houston Oilers
1934 yards, 373 att., 5.2 avg., 13 TD

2- Marcus Allen, 1985 Los Angeles Raiders
1759 yards, 380 att., 4.6 avg., 11 TD

3- Eric Dickerson, 1988 Indianapolis Colts
1659 yards, 388 att., 4.3 avg., 14 TD

4- Curt Warner, 1986 Seattle Seahawks
1481 yards, 319 att., 4.6 avg., 13 TD

5- Christian Okoye, 1989 Kansas City Chiefs
1480 yards, 370 att., 4.0 avg., 12 TD

6- Curt Warner, 1983 Seattle Seahawks
1449 yards, 335 att., 4.3 avg., 13 TD

7- Earl Campbell, 1981 Houston Oilers
1376 yards, 361 att., 3.8 avg., 10 TD

8- Freeman McNeil, 1985 New York Jets
1331 yards, 294 att., 4.5 avg., 3 TD

9- Eric Dickerson, 1989 Indianapolis Colts
1311 yards, 314 att., 4.2 avg., 7 TD

10-Earl Campbell, 1983 Houston Oilers
1301 yards, 322 att., 4.0 avg., 12 TD


Marcus Allen



Eric Dickerson



Curt Warner

BEST BY FRANCHISES NOT IN TOP 10
Buffalo Bills: Thurman Thomas, 1989
1244 yards, 298 att., 4.2 avg., 6 TD

Cincinnati Bengals: James Brooks, 1989
1239 yards, 221 att., 5.6 avg., 7 TD

New England Patriots: Craig James, 1985
1227 yards, 263 att., 4.7 avg., 5 TD

Cleveland Browns: Mike Pruitt, 1983
1184 yards, 293 att., 4.0 avg., 10 TD

San Diego Chargers: Earnest Jackson, 1984
1179 yards, 296 att., 4.0 avg., 8 TD

Denver Broncos: Sammy Winder, 1984
1153 yards, 296 att., 3.9 avg., 4 TD

Pittsburgh Steelers: Franco Harris, 1983
1007 yards, 279 att., 3.6 avg., 5 TD

Miami Dolphins: Lorenzo Hampton, 1986
830 yards, 186 att., 4.5 avg., 9 TD


Christian Okoye



Freeman McNeil



James Brooks