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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Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders is carried off the field at the end of the game 21 December after his 184-yard rushing performance put his season total at 2,053 yards. Sanders now has 13,778 career yards, second only to former Chicago Bears player Walter Payton. The Lions beat the Jets 13-10. The Lions advanced to the NFL playoffs and the Jets were eliminated. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders is carried off the field at the end of the game 21 December after his 184-yard rushing performance put his season total at 2,053 yards. Sanders now has 13,778 career yards, second only to former Chicago Bears player Walter Payton. The Lions beat the Jets 13-10. The Lions advanced to the NFL playoffs and the Jets were eliminated. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions: Barry Sanders (1997)

It’s been far too long since the Detroit Lions have enjoyed any kind of real success. The franchise hasn’t won an NFL championship since 1997 and hasn’t captured a division title since 1993.

The team also hasn’t won a playoff game since routing the Dallas Cowboys, 38-6, at the Pontiac Silverdome in the 1991 NFC Divisional Round. Running back Barry Sanders ran for a touchdown in that game, but quarterback Erik Kramer owned the day.

Six years later, the Lions would be playoff bound again. The head coach was Bobby Ross and Sanders would enjoy his most productive season.

It didn’t appear 1997 would be anything special for the Pro Football Hall of Famer after he totaled a combined 53 yards on 25 carries in the season’s first two weeks. In each of the Lions’ final 14 outings, Sanders ran for at least 100 yards. In his final six games, he totaled 134        carries for 950 yards and seven scores. He finished the season with 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named the league’s co-MVP along with Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre.

Unfortunately for the Lions, the season would result in a playoff appearance but no victory. Sanders was limited to 65 yards rushing on 18 carries in a 20-10 loss at Tampa Bay.

Next: Green Bay Packers

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