Fansided

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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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Running back O.J. Simpson #32 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the football against safety Glenn Edwards #27 and linebacker Jack Lambert #58 of the Pittsburgh Steelers as tight end Paul Seymour #87 of the Bills follows the play during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on September 28, 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bills defeated the Steelers 30-21. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Running back O.J. Simpson #32 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the football against safety Glenn Edwards #27 and linebacker Jack Lambert #58 of the Pittsburgh Steelers as tight end Paul Seymour #87 of the Bills follows the play during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on September 28, 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bills defeated the Steelers 30-21. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

4. O.J. Simpson, Bills (1975)

Two years earlier, the sensational running back had set a new NFL record with 2,003 yards on the ground (in just 14 games) on his way to being named the MVP of the National Football League. O.J. Simpson and the Buffalo Bills finished 9-5 in both 1973 and ’74, that second year resulting in a playoff appearance. The team would get off to an impressive start in 1975 behind their star runner.

Buffalo won its first four games and scored 30-plus points in each contest. Simpson totaled a combined 118 carries for a whopping 697 yards and five scores in those victories. That included a stunning 227 yards rushing in a Week 2 win at Three Rivers Stadium over the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers.

However, the Bills would lose six of their final 10 games and miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, Simpson still had his moments running the ball and expanded his act in regard to the passing game. He not only finished with 1,817 yards rushing and 16 scores but caught 28 passes for 426 yards and seven touchdowns. It added up to a league-best 2,243 yards from scrimmage and 23 total TDs, both NFL records at the time.

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