NFL 2022 - The Running Game

A tough, reliable running game allows NFL offenses to command a game’s pace. In the majority of games, it can also control the game's result.

Last season, NFL teams with a 100-yard rusher posted a 73-28-2 record for a .718 winning percentage. That rated higher than clubs with a 100-yard receiver (105-61, .633) or a 300-yard passer (68-44, .607).

Indianapolis running back JONATHAN TAYLOR led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and had 10 games in which he rushed for at least 100 yards, the most in the league. The Colts were 9-1 in those games, accounting for all their wins last season.

Over the past five years, NFL teams have compiled a 363-122-3 record (.747) when a player eclipses the 100-yard rushing mark. By comparison, clubs with a 100-yard receiver have a .568 winning percentage (476-362-6), while offenses with a 300-yard passer have a .551 winning percentage (331-269-5).

Since 2017, including the postseason, Tennessee Titans running back DERRICK HENRY leads the NFL with 28 games of at least 100 rushing yards. In those games, the Titans have a .893 winning percentage (25-3).

Henry needs 10 rushing touchdowns to become the fifth running back in NFL history with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in five consecutive seasons, joining LaDainian Tomlinson (nine consecutive seasons), Adrian Peterson (seven), Shaun Alexander (five) and Michael Turner (five). Henry also needs two games with at least 200 rushing yards to surpass Adrian Peterson (six games) and O.J. Simpson (six) for the most such games in NFL history. Needs three games with at least 150 rushing yards to surpass Jim Brown (13 games) and LaDainian Tomlinson (12) for the second-most such games in NFL history. Only Barry Sanders (25 games) has more.

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT of the Dallas Cowboys

Since 2017, including the postseason, Cowboys running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT ranks second with 24 games of 100-or-more rushing yards and the Cowboys have a 21-3 record (.875) in those games.

EZEKIEL ELLIOTT needs at least 1,250 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns to join LaDainian Tomlinson as the only running backs to accomplish the feat in each of their first seven seasons in NFL history. Elliott also needs at least 950 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to join Eric Dickerson, Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players ever to accomplish the feat in each of their first seven seasons.

Cleveland Browns running back NICK CHUBB, who entered the NFL in 2018, is the only other player with at least 20 games (22) with 100-or-more rushing yards over the past five seasons. In those games, the Browns have a 16-6 record (.727).

Chubb needs eight rushing touchdowns to become the fifth player in NFL history to accomplish the feat in each of his first five seasons, joining Jim Brown, Adrian Peterson, Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson.

JONATHAN TAYLOR of the Indianapolis Colts needs 2,062 scrimmage yards to surpass Jamal Lewis (5,700 scrimmage yards) for the third-most scrimmage yards by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history. Only LaDainian Tomlinson (6,145) and Eric Dickerson (5,816) have more. Taylor has 3,639 scrimmage yards. Taylor also needs 16 touchdowns to surpass Barry Sanders (47 touchdowns) for the most-ever by a player in his first three seasons. Taylor has 32 career touchdowns. Needs eight games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing TD to surpass Earl Campbell (19 games) and Eric Dickerson (19) for the most such games by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history. Taylor has 12 career games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Taylor needs six games with at least two touchdowns to surpass Marcus Allen (13 games), Jim Brown (13), Eric Dickerson (13), Larry Johnson (13) and Alvin Kamara (13) for the most such games by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history. Taylor has eight career games with at least two touchdowns.

NFL 2022 - The Running Game this Season