Frank Gore

A dominant running game with a dependable feature back cause defenses anguish as consistent gains on the ground create short-yardage situations. This keeps the offense's playbook fully accessible and the defense highly susceptible.

In 2011, NFL teams with a 100-yard rusher in a game posted a 90-38 record for a .703 winning percentage. That rated higher than clubs boasting a 300-yard passer (.545; 66-55) or a 100-yard receiver (.538; 93-80). It marked the fourth time in the past five seasons that NFL clubs with a 100-yard rusher in a game registered a winning percentage above .700, a mark not reached by teams with 100-yard receivers or 300-yard passers.

The AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens (6-0) and the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers (5-0) both finished perfect in 2011 when Pro Bowl running backs RAY RICE and FRANK GORE, respectively, registered 100-yard rushing games. Gore, who set a club record with five consecutive 100- yard games last season, is often lauded for his drive and ability to gain yards after contact.

"His style just makes him so hard to tackle for linebackers and safeties," says San Francisco guard JONATHAN GOODWIN about Gore, the franchise's all-time leading rusher (7,625 rushing yards). "We know that if Frank goes into a hole and does get hit, he's not going to go backwards. He's going to find a way to keep going."

Over the past five years, teams have compiled a 451-174 record (.722) when a player has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark.

By comparison, clubs with a 100-yard receiver have a .567 winning percentage (452-345-1), while teams with a 300-yard passer have won 56.6 percent of games (270-207-1).

The winning percentage of teams with a 100-yard rusher, 100-yard receiver or 300-yard passer over the past five seasons: