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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ST. LOUIS – NOVEMBER 7: Running back Corey Dillon #28 of the New England Patriots runs upfield against the St. Louis Rams on November 7, 2004 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Patriots defeated the Rams 40-22. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS – NOVEMBER 7: Running back Corey Dillon #28 of the New England Patriots runs upfield against the St. Louis Rams on November 7, 2004 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Patriots defeated the Rams 40-22. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

New England Patriots: Corey Dillon (2004)

From 1991-2004, a total of 14 seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals failed to reach the playoffs. Running back Corey Dillon was a member of the team for seven seasons (1997-2003). He owns the franchise record for career rushing yards (8,061) and was named to the Pro Bowl three times. Obviously, Dillon never appeared in a playoff game with the club.

In 2004, the Bengals dealt Dillon to the then-defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots for a second-round draft choice. He would respond with a career campaign, as well as set a new franchise record for rushing yards for the Pats. He totaled 345 carries for an impressive 1,635 yards and a dozen touchdowns.

He played in 15 regular-season games that season and ran for 100-plus yards in nine of those contests. He missed the club’s Week 8 clash with the Steelers at Pittsburgh and interesting enough, that resulted in a 34-20 loss which put an end to the Patriots’ overall 21-game winning streak. However, he would get a chance to face his former AFC North rival in the conference title game.

His 73 yards on 23 carries and one score in the club’s 41-27 win at Pittsburgh was part of a three-game postseason run that saw the talented performer total a combined 65 carries for 292 yards and two touchdowns in the three-game sweep of the Colts, Steelers and Eagles.

Next: New Orleans Saints

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