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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Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (R) rushes past Jacksonville defensive back Rashean Mathis (L) for a 48-yard gain in the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, December 31, 2006. The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 35-30. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (R) rushes past Jacksonville defensive back Rashean Mathis (L) for a 48-yard gain in the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, December 31, 2006. The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 35-30. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Chiefs: Larry Johnson (2006)

He was part of a big trade 20 years ago which involved the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. When it was all said and done, the latter moved up in the first round of the 2003 draft and grabbed future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs used the 27th overall pick to draft Penn State running back Larry Johnson. It was a deal that panned out better for the Black and Gold. However, the former Nittany Lion certainly had his moments in Kansas City. He enjoyed back-to-back monster seasons in 2005 and ’06, both resulting in Pro Bowl invitations. However, there was a record-setting performance in 2006 that saw Johnson capture All-Pro accolades.

In 16 starts that season, Johnson ran for a career-best 1,789 yards and rushed for 17 touchdowns. He accomplished this courtesy of an NFL-record 416 carries, a mark that still stands to this day. He totaled 30-plus carries in six games and ran for 100 or more yards in 11 contests.

The Chiefs would finish 9-7 and earn a wild-card berth. They would face Indianapolis in the first round of the playoffs. The Colts finished the season with the worst rushing defense in the league, but Tony Dungy’s team limited Johnson to 32 yards on 13 carries and handed Kansas City a 23-8 loss.

Next: Las Vegas Raiders

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