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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 32
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football against the Pittsburgh Steelers as tight end David Hill #81 blocks during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on September 16, 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Rams 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Eric Dickerson #29 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football against the Pittsburgh Steelers as tight end David Hill #81 blocks during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on September 16, 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Rams 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Rams: Eric Dickerson (1984)

Nearly 40 years later, it remains the NFL’s single-season record for rushing yards in a season. Given the state of the pass-happy game these days, who knows if the mark will be broken anytime soon, even with the season standing at 17 games at the moment.

Future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson was just in his second NFL season and coming off quite the debut. The second overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft led the league in carries (390) and rushing yards (1,808). The former SMU star ran for 18 touchdowns. John Robinson’s team wound up grabbing a playoff berth. Dickerson was a Pro Bowler, an All-Pro and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

A year later, he would best his 1983 total by over 300 yards and broke the 11-year-old record of 2,003 yards set by Bills’ running back O.J. Simpson in 1973. Dickerson ran 379 times for 2,105 yards and 14 scores. He reached the century mark on the ground a dozen times that season.

The Rams would return to the playoffs in ’84, but were one-and-done. However, Dickerson did run for 107 yards and a touchdown in a 16-13 loss to the visiting Giants.

Next: Miami Dolphins

Home/NFL