Some running backs don’t just rack up yards — they redefine what a dominant ground game looks like. Whether it was Barry Sanders dancing through defenders, Derrick Henry bulldozing through entire defenses, or Saquon Barkley’s 2024 resurgence in Philly, each season has had its rushing king. But who truly owned the ground each year? This list breaks down the top rusher by yards per game for every NFL season since 1995, with a full historical chart going all the way back to 1932. If you’re into running backs who carried their teams — and sometimes entire fantasy seasons — this is your kind of deep dive.
Most Rushing Yards Per Game Each Season (1995–2024)
2024
Saquon Barkley (125.3 Y/G, Philadelphia Eagles)
New team, same freak. Saquon’s move to Philly turned into a full-blown resurgence, as he reminded everyone why he went No. 2 overall — jukes, bursts, and posterizing defenders weekly.
2023
Kyren Williams (95.3 Y/G, Los Angeles Rams)
The Rams’ backfield was a revolving door early, but once Kyren got rolling, he slammed it shut. He brought balance to McVay’s offense and low-key turned into one of the most consistent backs of the year.
2022
Josh Jacobs (97.2 Y/G, Las Vegas Raiders)
In a contract year, Jacobs ran like every carry was worth a bonus. He led the league in rushing, stiff-armed half the AFC West, and singlehandedly won a few fantasy leagues in the process.
2021
Jonathan Taylor (106.5 Y/G, Indianapolis Colts)
JT didn’t just lead the league — he dominated it. With breakaway speed and power, Taylor was the lone bright spot on a Colts team spiraling faster than Carson Wentz in crunch time.
2020
Derrick Henry (126.7 Y/G, Tennessee Titans)
Back-to-back rushing champ, 2,000-yard club member, and walking nightmare for DBs — 2020 was peak King Henry. He made 250-pound linebackers look like JV players on his way to an all-time great season.
2019
Derrick Henry (102.7 Y/G, Tennessee Titans)
This was the year Henry went full beast mode in the second half and never looked back. He carried the Titans to the AFC Championship by steamrolling defenses like it was a team-building exercise.
2018
Ezekiel Elliott (95.6 Y/G, Dallas Cowboys)
Zeke led the league in rushing for the second time, mixing power, vision, and underrated receiving skills. The spoon-fed “Feed Me” celebration never got old — because neither did the 100-yard games.
2017
Ezekiel Elliott (98.3 Y/G, Dallas Cowboys)
Despite a midseason suspension that derailed his rhythm, Zeke still finished with a league-best yards-per-game mark. Imagine what he could’ve done with a full 16 — defenders certainly had nightmares about it.
2016
Ezekiel Elliott (108.7 Y/G, Dallas Cowboys)
As a rookie, Zeke was an instant star, bulldozing his way to over 1,600 yards behind the best O-line in football. He made the NFL look like the Big 12 — minus the bad tackling (well, mostly).
2015
Adrian Peterson (92.8 Y/G, Minnesota Vikings)
Back from suspension and into the rushing crown, Peterson proved that even in his 30s, he still had the juice. The Vikings kept feeding him, and he kept chewing up yardage like it was 2012 again.
2014
DeMarco Murray (115.3 Y/G, Dallas Cowboys)
DeMarco Murray went full beast mode in 2014, leading the league in yards, carries, and sore defensive coordinators. He ripped off eight straight 100-yard games to start the year behind Dallas’ bulldozing O-line.
2013
LeSean McCoy (100.4 Y/G, Philadelphia Eagles)
In Chip Kelly’s uptempo offense, “Shady” danced his way to the rushing title with a mix of patience, burst, and elite wiggle. Defenders knew what was coming — they just couldn’t catch him.
2012
Adrian Peterson (131.1 Y/G, Minnesota Vikings)
Eight months after tearing his ACL, Adrian Peterson nearly broke the all-time rushing record. He averaged over 130 yards per game, somehow looking stronger post-surgery — like he upgraded his knee to Vibranium.
2011
Maurice Jones-Drew (100.4 Y/G, Jacksonville Jaguars)
While Jacksonville’s offense was in witness protection, MJD was out there grinding every down. He led the league in rushing despite every defense knowing exactly what was coming — and still couldn’t stop it.
2010
Arian Foster (101.0 Y/G, Houston Texans)
An undrafted gem turned fantasy league-winner, Foster broke out with silky smooth runs and next-level patience. He racked up over 1,600 yards and made zone running look like art.
2009
Chris Johnson (125.4 Y/G, Tennessee Titans)
“CJ2K” didn’t just run — he exploded. With track speed and home-run ability on every touch, Johnson became just the sixth player to top 2,000 yards and made it look like a Madden simulation.
2008
Adrian Peterson (110.0 Y/G, Minnesota Vikings)
Year two of the AP experience was just as violent and electric as the first. Peterson ran angry, hurdled defenders like steeplechase, and carried Minnesota’s entire offense on his back.
2007
Adrian Peterson (95.8 Y/G, Minnesota Vikings)
As a rookie, AP announced himself with a record-setting 296-yard game. He split carries most of the year but still topped 1,300 yards — not bad for a guy who didn’t know how to slide yet.
2006
LaDainian Tomlinson (113.4 Y/G, San Diego Chargers)
One of the greatest all-purpose seasons ever, LT wasn’t just racking up yards — he was collecting souls. He rushed for 1,815 yards, added 28 rushing TDs, and made scoring look routine.
2005
Shaun Alexander (117.5 Y/G, Seattle Seahawks)
Alexander ran wild in ’05, putting up over 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in an MVP campaign. He was a vision and cut machine, gliding behind a mauling Seahawks line and into the end zone — a lot.
2004
Priest Holmes (111.5 Y/G, Kansas City Chiefs)
Even at 30 years old, Priest Holmes was still making defenders look like traffic cones. He averaged over 111 yards per game in just 8 starts before an injury ended what was shaping up to be another monster season.
2003
Jamal Lewis (129.1 Y/G, Baltimore Ravens)
Jamal Lewis straight-up bullied defenses in 2003, including a ridiculous 295-yard game against the Browns. He nearly cracked 2,100 yards and made it look effortless, like Baltimore had secretly teleported in a tank from the future.
2002
Ricky Williams (115.8 Y/G, Miami Dolphins)
Ricky Williams didn’t just lead the league — he dragged the Dolphins’ offense behind him like a sled dog in the playoffs. He ran angry all season, topping 1,800 yards and stiff-arming entire secondaries into the turf.
2001
Marshall Faulk (98.7 Y/G, St. Louis Rams)
Part of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” Faulk was still the centerpiece — a do-it-all machine who blurred the line between running back and cheat code. Nearly 100 yards per game on the ground and still a top receiving threat? Silly.
2000
Fred Taylor (107.6 Y/G, Jacksonville Jaguars)
When healthy, Fred Taylor was a problem — and in 2000, he was healthy and mad consistent. He topped 100 yards in 9 straight games, reminding everyone why he was one of the league’s most underrated backs.
1999
Stephen Davis (100.4 Y/G, Washington Commanders)
Before Washington became a carousel of running backs, Stephen Davis gave them a legit workhorse season. He quietly broke the 1,400-yard mark while keeping defenders in a full-time business decision mode.
1998
Terrell Davis (125.5 Y/G, Denver Broncos)
Fresh off a Super Bowl win, Terrell Davis somehow got better, powering through defenses on his way to 2,008 rushing yards. He didn’t just move the chains — he ran through them like they owed him money.
1997
Barry Sanders (128.3 Y/G, Detroit Lions)
After a slow start, Barry went full joystick mode and rattled off 14 straight 100-yard games. His 1997 season was pure poetry in motion — just a blur of cutbacks, spin moves, and broken ankles.
1996
Barry Sanders (97.1 Y/G, Detroit Lions)
Even in a “down year,” Barry Sanders still made defenders look like they were trying to tackle shadows. Just under 1,600 yards and more highlight-reel runs than most backs get in their whole careers.
1995
Emmitt Smith (110.8 Y/G, Dallas Cowboys)
Fresh off another Super Bowl, Emmitt reminded the league he wasn’t done yet. His vision, patience, and elite offensive line helped him rack up 25 touchdowns and carry Dallas back to the NFC Championship.
All-Time Leaders in Rushing Yards Per Game (1932–2024)
Want the full historical breakdown? This sortable chart shows the NFL rushing yards per game leader for every season since 1932 — from Jim Brown to Saquon Barkley.
| Year | Player | Y/G | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Saquon Barkley | 125.3 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2023 | Kyren Williams | 95.3 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2022 | Josh Jacobs | 97.2 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 2021 | Jonathan Taylor | 106.5 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2020 | Derrick Henry | 126.7 | Tennessee Titans |
| 2019 | Derrick Henry | 102.7 | Tennessee Titans |
| 2018 | Ezekiel Elliott | 95.6 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2017 | Ezekiel Elliott | 98.3 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2016 | Ezekiel Elliott | 108.7 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2015 | Adrian Peterson | 92.8 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2014 | DeMarco Murray | 115.3 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2013 | LeSean McCoy | 100.4 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson | 131.1 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2011 | Maurice Jones-Drew | 100.4 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2010 | Arian Foster | 101.0 | Houston Texans |
| 2009 | Chris Johnson | 125.4 | Tennessee Titans |
| 2008 | Adrian Peterson | 110.0 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2007 | Adrian Peterson | 95.8 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson | 113.4 | San Diego Chargers |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander | 117.5 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2004 | Priest Holmes | 111.5 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2003 | Jamal Lewis | 129.1 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2002 | Ricky Williams | 115.8 | Miami Dolphins |
| 2001 | Marshall Faulk | 98.7 | St. Louis Rams |
| 2000 | Fred Taylor | 107.6 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 1999 | Stephen Davis | 100.4 | Washington Redskins |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis | 125.5 | Denver Broncos |
| 1997 | Barry Sanders | 128.3 | Detroit Lions |
| 1996 | Barry Sanders | 97.1 | Detroit Lions |
| 1995 | Emmitt Smith | 110.8 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1994 | Barry Sanders | 117.7 | Detroit Lions |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith | 106.1 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1992 | Emmitt Smith | 107.1 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1991 | Barry Sanders | 103.2 | Detroit Lions |
| 1990 | Marion Butts | 87.5 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1989 | Christian Okoye | 98.7 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1988 | Eric Dickerson | 103.7 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 1987 | Eric Dickerson | 112.3 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 1986 | Eric Dickerson | 113.8 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen | 109.9 | Los Angeles Raiders |
| 1984 | Eric Dickerson | 131.6 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1983 | Eric Dickerson | 113.0 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1982 | Joe Cribbs | 90.4 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1981 | George Rogers | 104.6 | New Orleans Saints |
| 1980 | Earl Campbell | 128.9 | Houston Texans |
| 1979 | Earl Campbell | 106.1 | Houston Texans |
| 1978 | Earl Campbell | 96.7 | Houston Texans |
| 1977 | Walter Payton | 132.3 | Chicago Bears |
| 1976 | O.J. Simpson | 107.4 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1975 | O.J. Simpson | 129.8 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1974 | Otis Armstrong | 100.5 | Denver Broncos |
| 1973 | O.J. Simpson | 143.1 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1972 | Larry Brown | 101.3 | Washington Redskins |
| 1971 | Floyd Little | 80.9 | Denver Broncos |
| 1970 | Larry Brown | 86.5 | Washington Redskins |
| 1969 | Floyd Little | 81.0 | Denver Broncos |
| 1969 | Gale Sayers | 73.7 | Chicago Bears |
| 1968 | Gale Sayers | 95.1 | Chicago Bears |
| 1968 | Paul Robinson | 73.1 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1967 | Jim Nance | 86.9 | Boston Patriots |
| 1967 | Leroy Kelly | 86.1 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1966 | Jim Nance | 104.1 | Boston Patriots |
| 1966 | Gale Sayers | 87.9 | Chicago Bears |
| 1965 | Jim Brown | 110.3 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1965 | Paul Lowe | 80.1 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1964 | Jim Brown | 103.3 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1964 | Cookie Gilchrist | 70.1 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1963 | Jim Brown | 133.1 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1963 | Clem Daniels | 78.5 | Oakland Raiders |
| 1962 | Jim Taylor | 105.3 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1962 | Cookie Gilchrist | 78.3 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1961 | Jim Brown | 100.6 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1961 | Billy Cannon | 67.7 | Houston Texans |
| 1960 | Jim Brown | 104.8 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1960 | Abner Haynes | 62.5 | Dallas Texans |
| 1959 | Jim Brown | 110.8 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1958 | Jim Brown | 127.3 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1957 | Jim Brown | 78.5 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1956 | Rick Casares | 93.8 | Chicago Bears |
| 1955 | Tank Younger | 80.5 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1954 | Joe Perry | 87.4 | |
| 1953 | Joe Perry | 84.8 | |
| 1952 | Dan Towler | 74.5 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1951 | Eddie Price | 80.9 | New York Giants |
| 1950 | Eddie Price | 70.3 | New York Giants |
| 1949 | Steve Van Buren | 95.5 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1949 | Joe Perry | 71.2 | |
| 1948 | Steve Van Buren | 85.9 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1948 | Marion Motley | 68.9 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1947 | Spec Sanders | 102.3 | New York Yankees (AAFC) |
| 1947 | Steve Van Buren | 84.0 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1946 | Steve Van Buren | 58.8 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1946 | Spec Sanders | 54.5 | New York Yankees (AAFC) |
| 1945 | Steve Van Buren | 83.2 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1944 | Bill Paschal | 73.7 | New York Giants |
| 1943 | Bill Paschal | 63.6 | New York Giants |
| 1942 | Bill Dudley | 63.3 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1941 | Pug Manders | 44.2 | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| 1940 | Tuffy Leemans | 47.4 | New York Giants |
| 1939 | Bill Osmanski | 69.9 | Chicago Bears |
| 1938 | Whizzer White | 51.5 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1937 | Cliff Battles | 87.4 | Washington Redskins |
| 1936 | Tuffy Leemans | 69.2 | New York Giants |
| 1935 | Doug Russell | 41.6 | Chicago Cardinals |
| 1934 | Beattie Feathers | 91.3 | Chicago Bears |
| 1933 | Jim Musick | 67.4 | Boston Patriots |
| 1932 | Cliff Battles | 72.0 | Boston Patriots |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who has the most rushing yards per game in a single NFL season?
A: O.J. Simpson holds the record with 143.1 yards per game in 1973 — and he did it in just 14 games.
Q: Which running back led the NFL in rushing yards per game the most times?
A: Jim Brown led the league in Y/G seven times between 1957 and 1965.
Q: Why is yards per game a better stat than total rushing yards?
A: Yards per game accounts for consistency and workload, rather than just durability or playing 17 games.
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Over the last century, the NFL’s rushing landscape has shifted from bruising fullbacks to explosive home-run hitters — but dominance always leaves a mark. Whether it was Barry Sanders making defenders miss in space, Derrick Henry bulldozing entire teams, or Adrian Peterson putting up historic numbers post-injury, these players didn’t just lead the league — they defined their eras. Yards per game might not be the flashiest stat, but it often reveals who truly carried the load.
