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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WASHINGTON, D.C. – NOVEMBER 18: Joe Morris #20 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game November 18, 1986 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Morris played for the Giants from 1982-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NOVEMBER 18: Joe Morris #20 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game November 18, 1986 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Morris played for the Giants from 1982-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

New York Giants: Joe Morris (1986)

Bill Parcells’ first season as head coach of the New York Giants resulted in a 3-12-1 mark in 1983. However, the seeds were planted for a team that in his fourth year as the sideline leader would culminate with a Super Bowl XXI victory at Pasadena.

In 1986, Big Blue finished with a 14-2 record and got a big year from not only their defense but a very balanced offense. The key to the ground attack was fullback Maurice Carthon leading the way for productive runner Joe Morris. A second-round pick in 1982 from Syracuse University, he enjoyed the best season in his seven years with the organization.

Morris was a true workhorse. In 15 regular-season games, he totaled 20-plus carries 10 times and ran for at least 100 yards in eight of those outings. It adds up to 341 carries for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year and earned All-Pro honors for the only time in his brief career.

During the Giants’ Super Bowl run, he totaled at least 20 attempts in all three playoff contests. All told, there were a combined 313 yards and four touchdowns on 73 carries in double-digit victories over the San Francisco 49ers (49-3), Washington Redskins (17-0) and Denver Broncos (39-20).

Next: New York Jets

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