NFL 2010 Preview: Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers RB
Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers RB

Many NFL coaches agree with the philosophy that the team that maximizes time of possession and controls the pace of the game often finds itself in the best position to win.

One of the most efficient ways to do this is to have a reliable running attack featuring a durable back.

In 2009, NFL teams with a 100-yard rusher in a game posted an 81-35 record (.698), a winning percentage that rated higher than clubs boasting either a 100-yard receiver (.632; 103-60) or a 300-yard passer (.644; 67-37).

"I know whenever my number is called I'm trying to do the best I can out there," says San Francisco 49ers running back FRANK GORE, whose team was 4-1 last season when he surpassed the 100-yard mark. "As long as we win, I'm good. It's tough to win games in this league."

Over the past five years, teams have compiled a 495-172 record (.742) when a player has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark. By comparison, clubs with a 300-yard passer have a .576 winning percentage, while offenses with a 100-yard receiver have won 56.9 percent of games since 2005.

Here's the winning percentages of teams with a 100-yard rusher versus 100-yard receiver or 300-yard passer over the past five seasons

winning percentage of teams comparison over the past 5 seasons

  100-YD RUSHERS 100-YD RECEIVERS 300-YD PASSERS
Season W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Source: NFL
2006107-47.69581-68.54436-29.554
2007102-37.73487-66.56943-38.531
200893-30.75688-63.58247-28.625
200981-35.698103-60.63267-37.644
Total495-172.742438-331.569224-165.576

 

NFL FOOTBALL ARTICLES [...]

 

NFL 2010 Football: Top NFL Superlative: Run the Ball