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The 2,000-yard rushing milestone is one of the NFL’s most difficult and celebrated achievements. Only a select group of running backs have managed to breach this threshold, showcasing unparalleled skill, durability, and impact over the course of a season. The list of 2,000-yard rushers begins with O.J. Simpson, who accomplished the feat in 1973. Remarkably, he achieved this in just 14 games, setting a standard of excellence that few have matched since.
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What makes this achievement so rare is the combination of talent, workload, and health it demands. The Running Back position was once an in-demand job but lately, the position has been devalued. However, the 2024 NFL season has seen a renaissance, with Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley becoming the latest member of the 2000-Yard Rushers club. On Sunday, December 29th, Barkley surpassed the mark and has one more game left to try to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards.
Running backs endure punishing physical demands each week, making this level of consistency extraordinary. The names on the 2,000-yard list reflect not just incredible statistics, but the heart, toughness, and brilliance required to achieve true greatness in the NFL.
1. Eric Dickerson – 2,105 yards (1984)
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Playing for the Los Angeles Rams, Eric Dickerson set the all-time single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards in 16 games. His dominating performance included five games with over 175 rushing yards, cementing his place as one of the most explosive running backs in NFL history. Though the Rams made it to the playoffs, they fell short of a championship.
2. Adrian Peterson – 2,097 yards (2012)
![Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrated his first quarter touchdown during Sunday December 9,2012 NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN.] JERRY HOLT • jerry.holt@startri](https://blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/17355773215492.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=686&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
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Just months after recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, Peterson delivered an astonishing season with the Minnesota Vikings, falling just eight yards short of Dickerson’s record. He led the Vikings to the playoffs and was named NFL MVP, showcasing his unmatched resilience and physical ability.
3. Jamal Lewis – 2,066 yards (2003)
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Jamal Lewis powered the Baltimore Ravens with his brutal running style, including a single-game rushing record of 295 yards (since broken). His efforts propelled the Ravens to the playoffs, and he earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.
4. Barry Sanders – 2,053 yards (1997)
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Barry Sanders dazzled for the Detroit Lions with his elusive running, producing an incredible stretch of 14 straight 100-yard games. Sharing the league MVP award that year, Sanders almost single-handedly led the Lions to a playoff berth.
5. Derrick Henry – 2,027 yards (2020)
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Known for his punishing running style, Henry carried the Tennessee Titans to the playoffs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. His consistency and dominance earned him NFL Offensive Player of the Year, as he became just the eighth player to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season.
6. Terrell Davis – 2,008 yards (1998)
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Terrell Davis was the engine of the Denver Broncos’ offense during their Super Bowl-winning season. His incredible ground game earned him NFL MVP honors as the Broncos finished the year 14-2 and defended their championship in Super Bowl XXXIII.
7. Chris Johnson – 2,006 yards (2009)
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Nicknamed “CJ2K,” Chris Johnson used his blazing speed to break the 2,000-yard barrier for the Tennessee Titans while also setting a record for total yards from scrimmage in a season (2,509). Despite his personal success, the Titans narrowly missed the playoffs.
8. Saquon Barkley – 2,005 & Counting (2024)
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Saquon Barkley has delivered a phenomenal 2024 NFL season, amassing 2,005 rushing yards for the Philadelphia Eagles with a chance to break Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105.