Which Players Have Rushed for Over 2000 Yards in a Single NFL Season?

Which Players Have Rushed for Over 2000 Yards in a Single...

By Oliver Wiener May 15, 2024 07:00

Rushing for over 2000 yards in a single NFL season is a remarkable achievement that only a select few running backs have accomplished. T

his article will delve into the history of this prestigious accomplishment, detailing the players who have achieved this feat and their exceptional performances.

The 2000-Yard Rushing Club

O.J. Simpson (1973)

O.J. Simpson, playing for the Buffalo Bills, became the first player to rush for over 2000 yards in a 14-game season, finishing with 2003 rushing yards and an average of 143.1 yards per game. He set the bar high for future running backs with his remarkable performance.

Eric Dickerson (1984)

Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson broke Simpson's record by rushing for 2105 yards in a 16-game season, setting the current NFL rushing record. He averaged an impressive 131.6 yards per game, solidifying his place in NFL history.

Barry Sanders (1997)

Detroit Lions' Barry Sanders joined the 2000-yard rushing club by recording 2053 rushing yards in the 1997 season. Notably, Sanders achieved this at the age of 29, making him the oldest back to surpass the 2000-yard mark.

Terrell Davis (1998)

Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos rushed for 2008 yards in the 1998 season, showcasing his remarkable talent by recording 21 rushing touchdowns.

Jamal Lewis (2003)

In 2003, Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens surpassed 2000 yards, finishing the season with 2066 rushing yards, including a then-NFL record 295 yards in a single game.

Chris Johnson (2009)

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson achieved 2006 rushing yards in the 2009 season, averaging an impressive 5.6 yards per carry and setting an NFL-record 2509 yards from scrimmage.

Adrian Peterson (2012)

Minnesota Vikings player Adrian Peterson finished the 2012 season with 2097 rushing yards, just 8 yards short of Dickerson's record.

Remarkably, Peterson achieved this feat after reconstructive knee surgery the previous season, highlighting his determination and skill.

Derrick Henry (2020)

The most recent addition to the 2000-yard rushing club is Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, who achieved 2027 rushing yards in the 2020 regular season. Henry's accomplishment made the Titans the first franchise to have multiple 2000-yard rushers.

Notable Achievements and Impact

To date, no player has rushed for over 2000 yards in multiple seasons, highlighting the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.
All but one player in the 2000-yard rushing club won the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award in the year they rushed for 2000 yards, underscoring the exceptional impact of their performances.
Several players in the 2000-yard rushing club, including Simpson, Dickerson, Sanders, and Davis, also won the AP Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, further emphasizing the significance of their contributions to the sport.

Ultimately, rushing for over 2000 yards in a single NFL season is an extraordinary feat achieved by only a select group of talented running backs. The players who have accomplished this remarkable milestone have left an indelible mark on the sport, showcasing exceptional skill, determination, and resilience.

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