Fansided

Every NFL team’s greatest rushing season of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

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)
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) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 9: Ottis Anderson #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals carries the ball against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 9, 1979 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Anderson played for the Cardinals from 1979-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 9: Ottis Anderson #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals carries the ball against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 9, 1979 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Anderson played for the Cardinals from 1979-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

These 31 outstanding players were anything but tramps during their days in the National Football League. However, baby, they were certainly born to run.

It is important that you take the title of this piece at face value. Understand that this is not a list of the greatest running back for each of the current 32 NFL franchises. It is an evaluation of the greatest rushing season via performer on each of these clubs.

We are talking about carries, yards and touchdowns and how they played a pivotal role for their clubs. Total yards from scrimmage, receptions and contributions on special teams have been discussed elsewhere.

To make it even clearer, the most rushing yards for each team in a season by a player is not exactly what we’re looking for here as well. Postseason numbers will be taken into account. All in all, it’s another trip down memory lane and with lots of other running backs getting their due.

Arizona Cardinals: Ottis Anderson (1979)

The franchise was still a few years away from making its move to the desert. The St. Louis Cardinals were NFC East champions in 1974 and 1975 and the team was solid for a few years afterwards. However, the club suffered through a forgettable 6-10 showing in 1978. The team wound up with the eighth overall pick in 1979 and opted for University of Miami running back Ottis Anderson.

He wasted little time making a big impression. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned All-Pro honors thanks to 331 carries for 1,605 yards and eight touchdowns. More than 40 years later, that remains the Cardinals’ single-season record for yards on the ground.33

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