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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The Detroit Lions’ Barry Sanders (L) brushes off Chicago Bears safety Marty Carter (R) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter, 27 November, at the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. On the play, Sanders passed the 100-yard mark in a game for the 11th straight time tieing the NFL record held by Marcus Allen. The Lions beat the Bears 55-20. AFP PHOTO Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions’ Barry Sanders (L) brushes off Chicago Bears safety Marty Carter (R) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter, 27 November, at the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. On the play, Sanders passed the 100-yard mark in a game for the 11th straight time tieing the NFL record held by Marcus Allen. The Lions beat the Bears 55-20. AFP PHOTO Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

14. Barry Sanders, Lions (1997)

The Detroit Lions made Oklahoma State University star and 1988 Heisman Trophy-winning running back Barry Sanders the third overall pick in 1989. He rewarded the Motor City with 10 years of excellence. He never ran for fewer than 1,100 yards in any season. Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl each of those 10 seasons. He earned All-Pro honors six times and led the NFL in rushing yards in 1990, 1994, 1996, and ’97.

That final year mentioned saw the first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer run for 2,053 yards. It remains the fourth-highest single-season total in NFL annals. He would share league Most Valuable Player honors with Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

What made this performance somewhat unique was just how slow Sanders was out of the gate in the season’s first two weeks. In a 28-17 win vs. Atlanta, he totaled 15 carries for 33 yards. A week later in a 24-17 loss to the Buccaneers, Sanders ran 10 times for 20 yards. It added up to a combined total of 53 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

So, in the final 14 games, the explosive performer ran for exactly 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 310 carries. He closed out the season with an NFL-record 14 consecutive games of 100-plus rushing yards. However, he was held to a modest 53 yards on 18 attempts in a playoff loss at Tampa Bay.

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