100-Yard Rushers Win Games
100-Yard Rushers Win Games

A tough, reliable running game allows an offense to command a game's pace. In the majority of contests, it can also control the game's result.

In 2014, NFL teams with a 100-yard rusher in a game posted a 75-23-2 record for a .760 winning percentage. That rated higher than clubs with a 100-yard receiver (105-74-1, .586) or a 300-yard passer (70-52-1, .573).

"It's all about winning," says Dallas Cowboys head coach JASON GARRETT. "It's all about what's best for our football team. Now, those two things coincide. It's good for our football team when we are running the ball well and we control the game by running the football."

Running back DE MARCO MURRAY set Cowboys records for rushing yards (1,845) and 100-yard games (12) in 2014 and Dallas posted a 10-2 record when he rushed for 100 yards in a game. In 2015, Murray will be running the ball for head coach CHIP KELLY and the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Obviously, you just look at him statistically in terms of what he did," says Kelly about Murray. "You know what kind of workhorse back he is. He has unbelievable patience and vision. There's a toughness to him. He never really takes negative yardage plays." Over the past five years, teams have compiled a 395-163-5 record (.706) when a player has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark.

By comparison, clubs with a 100-yard receiver have a .550 winning percentage (480-393-2), while offenses with a 300-yard passer have won 52.1 percent of games (304-279-1).

 

Winning percentage of NFL teams with a 100-yard rusher, 100-yard receiver, or 300-yard passer over the past five seasons

100-Yard Rushers 100-Yard Receivers 300-Yard Passers
Year W-L Win Pct Year W-L Win Pct Year W-L Win Pct
(Source: NFL)
201087-34.719201092-79.538201047-49.490
201190-38.703201193-80.538201166-55.545
201283-35-1.702201292-78-1.541201261-65.484
201360-33-2.642201398-82.544201360-58.508
201475-23-2.7602014105-74-1.586201470-52-1.573
Total395-163-5.706Total480-393-2.550Total304-279-1.521

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NFL Football: "100-Yard Rushers Win Games"