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 4: Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers takes a handoff from quarterback Joe Montana #16 against the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL game at the Fulton County Stadium on December 4, 1988 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 13-3. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 4: Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers takes a handoff from quarterback Joe Montana #16 against the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL game at the Fulton County Stadium on December 4, 1988 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 13-3. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers: Roger Craig (1988)

Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726) have run for more yards than Frank Gore (16,000). He spent 10 of his 16 NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, who made him a third-round pick in 2005. Gore is the Niners’ all-time rushing leader with 11,073 yards and also owns the franchise record for yards (1,695) in a season, set in 2006.

Of course, three-time Super Bowl champion Roger Craig enjoyed some big seasons with the franchise. In his second year in the league, he became the first player to score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl (XIX). In 1985, he was the first player to total at least 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.

However, it was his 1988 performance as a runner that really stands out. He came up with career highs in attempts (310) and rushing yards (1,502), running for nine touchdowns. Yes, Craig caught 76 passes that year in 16 regular-season games. He totaled 13 receptions during the team’s three-game Super Bowl XXIII title run, eight catches in the win over the Bengals.

He ran 21 times for 135 yards and two scores in the divisional round rout of the Vikings. All told, he came up with 56 carries for 274 yards and a pair of TDs in the postseason victories over Minnesota, Chicago and Cincinnati. Quite the run by quite the runner.

Next: Seattle Seahawks

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