What Is The Nfl Rushing Record In A Single Game?
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The NFL rushing record in a single game is held by Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, who ran for 248 yards in a 1984 game against the New Orleans Saints.
Emmitt Smith’s Record-Setting Game
On October 27, 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys broke the NFL’s all-time rushing record in a Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks. Smith had struggled early in the season, but he came into the game with a total of 16,743 yards rushing in his career. He needed just 108 yards to surpass Hall of Famer Walter Payton’s record of 16,726 yards.
Smith got off to a slow start in the game, but he began to pick up steam in the second half. With just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Smith broke Payton’s record with a touchdown run of four yards. He would finish the game with 109 yards rushing and two touchdowns, helping the Cowboys to a 42-31 victory.
Smith’s record-breaking performance was one of the most memorable moments in NFL history. It was also a reminder of just how great of a running back he was. In his 15 seasons in the NFL, Smith racked up 18,355 yards rushing and 164 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Adrian Peterson’s 2,097-Yard Season
Adrian Peterson’s 2,097-yard season in 2012 is the current NFL rushing record for a single season. In that year, Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards on 357 carries, averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry.
This mark beats out previous record holder Jamal Lewis, who ran for 2,066 yards in 2003. Lewis needed 386 carries to reach his total, meaning Peterson was significantly more efficient with his carries.
Peterson’s career-high game came against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 of that 2012 season, when he rushed for 199 yards on 34 carries. That performance helped him eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark for the season and cemented his place in NFL history.
O.J. Simpson’s 2,003-Yard Season
In 1973, Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson had one of the most incredible seasons by a running back in NFL history. Simpson rushed for 2,003 yards, becoming the first player to ever surpass the 2,000-yard mark in a single season. His 2,003 yards is still the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season.
Eric Dickerson’s 2,105-Yard Season
In the 1983 NFL season, Eric Dickerson had one of the best statistical seasons for a running back in NFL history. He rushed for 2,105 yards, which was an NFL record at the time, and averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry.
The previous rushing record had been held by O.J. Simpson, who ran for 2,003 yards in the 1973 season. Dickerson’s record would stand for nearly another decade, until it was broken by Barry Sanders in the 1997 season.
Barry Sanders’ 2,000-Yard Season
In 1997, Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders had one of the most impressive seasons by a rusher in NFL history. He ran for 2,053 yards, averaged 6.1 yards per carry, and scored 16 touchdowns. His 2,053-yard total is the third most in a single season in NFL history.
