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20 best running back seasons in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 15, 1964: Runningback Jim Brown #32 of the Cleveland Browns awaits the next series of plays for the offense during a game on November 15, 1964 against the Detroit Lions at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Also pictured for the Bowns include Frank Ryan #13 and Clifton McNeil #85. 64-71385 (Photo by: Herman Seid Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 15, 1964: Runningback Jim Brown #32 of the Cleveland Browns awaits the next series of plays for the offense during a game on November 15, 1964 against the Detroit Lions at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Also pictured for the Bowns include Frank Ryan #13 and Clifton McNeil #85. 64-71385 (Photo by: Herman Seid Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Jamal Anderson #32, Running Back for the Atlanta Falcons. (Elsa Hasch/Allsport/Getty Images)
Jamal Anderson #32, Running Back for the Atlanta Falcons. (Elsa Hasch/Allsport/Getty Images) /

It was once the glamour position in the NFL. There have been some memorable single-season performances by running backs during the league’s long history.

The position was back when it came to NFL offenses this past season. A total of 14 running backs ran for 1,000-plus yards in 2022, led by the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs (1,653). Only seven running backs reached the 1,000-yard mark the previous season.

Jacobs was also one of three backs (along with Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard) to get the “franchise” tag this offseason. On the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft, running backs Bijan Robinson (Falcons) and Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) were both early first-round selections.

There’s already been a look at the 20 best seasons by a quarterback in league annals. So why not give some equal time to the men who carry and catch the rock? None of the aforementioned players made this list, but the enclosed submission features some memorable single-season performances.

Best running back seasons in NFL history

20. Jamal Anderson, Falcons (1998)

The team seemingly came out of nowhere. Dan Reeves inherited a 3-13 Atlanta Falcons squad and led them to a 7-9 finish in his first season in 1997. His second campaign with the club saw the Falcons double their victory total via a surprising 14-2 showing.

The main cog in the Atlanta offense was running back Jamal Anderson. A seventh-round selection in 1994, he was coming off a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on the ground. His fifth year in the NFL saw him rack up a league-high 410 carries for 1,846 yards and 14 scores. The former University of Utah product finished ‘98 with 2,165 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns.

Anderson wasn’t done. He ran for 113 yards and two scores in a 20-18 win over the 49ers in the divisional round. He came up with 100 total yards from scrimmage, including a TD reception, in the Falcons’ 30-27 overtime win at Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game. He also ran for 96 yards in Super Bowl XXXIII but did lose a fumble in the 34-19 setback. This “Dirty Bird” was filthy good that season.

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