Every NFL team's greatest rushing season of all time

Every NFL team’s greatest rushing season of all time

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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Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1985, during a game in 1973. (Photo by Tim Culek/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Bills: O.J. Simpson (1973)

It was a different time, a different set of rules and a much different style of play.

Running backs and the ground game were the focal point of NFL offenses for quite a spell. One of the best ever was the first overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft. He made his name at USC as a game-breaking performer. Pro Football Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson put a charge into the Buffalo Bills’ attack and was aided by an offensive front that earned the name “The Electric Company.”

Although numerous players have surpassed that magical number from 50 years ago, you could argue that Simpson’s 2003 rushing yards in a 14-game season in 1973 remain the standard and perhaps the most-discussed single-season performance by a runner. That’s pretty interesting considering that two years later, Simpson had quite the complete season with 2,243 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns.

Back to ‘73, when he earned both NFL Offensive Player of the Year and league MVP honors. He began the season with 250 yards rushing vs. the Patriots and ended the year with 200 yards on the ground at Shea Stadium vs. the Jets.

Talk about an interesting set of numbers? Simpson averaged 6.0 yards per attempt that year on 332 carries. He also caught only six passes for 70 yards.

Next: Carolina Panthers

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