20 best running back seasons in NFL history

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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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals as rain falls at Riverfront Stadium on September 23, 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Bengals 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

3. Eric Dickerson, Rams (1984)

It remains the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season. One of the things that made Eric Dickerson’s performance in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams so very impressive was that it came in only his second season in the league. Add to that what he did during his rookie campaign, and it may be even more startling when you consider the workload.

The former SMU standout was the second overall pick in the 1983 draft, and he took the game by storm. He led the league in carries (390) and rushing yards (1,808). He ran for 18 touchdowns and also added 404 yards on 51 catches (2 TDs) on his way to being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. That’s a total of 441 touches in 16 regular-season games and he added 41 more touches in two playoff games.

Dickerson followed that up with fewer rushing attempts and receptions in ’84. However, he still ran 379 times for a league-record 2,105 yards, to go along with 14 scores. The big-play performer averaged an impressive 131.6 yards per game on the ground in 16 contests, running for 100-plus yards in 12 games.

The Hall of Fame running back also came up with 107 yards rushing and one TD on 23 carries in a wild-card loss to the Giants.

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