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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Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs with the ball as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 – 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images) /

2. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (2006)

There wasn’t a lot that the member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 didn’t do during his sixth season in the NFL. Former TCU star LaDainian Tomlinson was the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the then-San Diego Chargers. The team originally owned the first overall pick that year, but the Atlanta Falcons traded for the top spot (selecting quarterback Michael Vick) and the Bolts would grab Tomlinson.

In each of his first eight seasons, he totaled at least 1,000 yards on the ground and ran for at least 10 touchdowns. In 2003, he led the league in total yards from scrimmage (2,370), running from 1,645 yards while catching 100 passes. However, his 2006 campaign was off the charts.

Tomlinson ran for a league-high 1,815 yards and totaled 28 touchdowns on the ground. He caught 56 passes for 508 yards and three scores. His 28 rushing TDs, 31 total trips to the end zone, and 186 points scored remain NFL single-season records. For good measure, Tomlinson threw a pair of touchdown passes.

The 14-2 Chargers would claim the NFL’s best record and the AFC’s top playoff seed. Tomlinson would run for 123 yards and two scores, plus catch two passes for 64 yards vs. the Patriots in the divisional round in what was a stinging 24-21 loss.

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