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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Indianapolis Colts’ running back Edgerrin James (L) eludes the defense of Miami Dolphins’ linebacker Robert Jones (R) for a first down during first quarter action of their game 17 December 2000 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. James rushed for 112 yards and helped the Colts defeat the Dolphins 20-13. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP) (Photo by RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts’ running back Edgerrin James (L) eludes the defense of Miami Dolphins’ linebacker Robert Jones (R) for a first down during first quarter action of their game 17 December 2000 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. James rushed for 112 yards and helped the Colts defeat the Dolphins 20-13. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP) (Photo by RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts: Edgerrin James (2000)

There are any number of directions you could go when it comes to this franchise and its many talented running backs. In his first full season with the Colts in 1988, Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson led the NFL with 1,659 yards on the ground.

The team made Marshall Faulk the second overall pick in 1994 and he would run for 1,000=plus yards with the club in four of his five seasons with the team. In 2021, Jonathan Taylor led the league with 1,811 rushing yards in his second NFL campaign.

In 1998, then-Colts general manager Bill Polian selected quarterback Peyton Manning with the first overall pick. The latter took his lumps and the club finished 3-13. In 199, the team decided to deal Faulk to the Rams in a deal that worked out well for both clubs. In the draft that year, Polian used the fourth overall selection on University of Miami standout Edgerrin James.

The former Hurricane blew through opposing defenses for an NFL-high 1,553 yards rushing in his first season. The Colts went from a three-win team to a 13-3 division champion in 1999. James was even busier in 2000 when he led the league in rushing yards (1,709) for a second straight season. He closed the season with three straight 100-yard performances and ran for 107 yards in the team’s overtime playoff loss at Miami.

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