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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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 12: George Rogers No. 38 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium December 12, 1982 in Atlanta, Georgia. Rogers played for the Saints from 1981-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 12: George Rogers No. 38 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium December 12, 1982 in Atlanta, Georgia. Rogers played for the Saints from 1981-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints: George Rogers (1981)

The 1980 New Orleans Saints lost their first 14 games before notching a win over the Jets, 21-20, at Shea Stadium in Week 15. The “Aints” closed the season with a loss to the Patriots and earned the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.

The selection was University of South Carolina running back George Rogers, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner. He did not disappoint in his NFL debut campaign. He was a 16-game starter who led the league in both carries (378) and rushing yards (1,674). He scored 13 touchdowns, earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

All told, Rogers totaled nine 100-yard rushing performances and his 1,674 yards remains the best single-season performance in team history. The Saints, led by new head coach “Bum” Phillips, still finished in last place in the NFC West with a 4-12 record.

Rogers played in only six games during the strike-shortened season of ’82 but was named to the Pro Bowl after running for 535 yards and three scores. He rebounded to run for 1,144 yards the following year. In 1985, he was dealt to Washington and was part of a Super Bowl title team in 1987. However, he never came close to matching his impressive rookie performance.

Next: New York Giants

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