Top 25 seasons by a running back ever: Which Kansas City Chiefs make the cut?
16. Terrell Davis, 1998
Terrell Davis is just one in a very long list of Georgia Bulldog running backs who have gone on to have great careers in the NFL. Interestingly though, Davis had a relatively average, if not below average, college career. During his four seasons with the Bulldogs, Davis averaged 480 yards rushing, 106 yards receiving, and five touchdowns. Respectable numbers, but surprisingly average given Davis’ professional career.
Unsurprisingly, Davis wasn’t drafted until the sixth round of the 1995 NFL draft. Unfortunately for Chiefs’ fans, the Denver Broncos got a steal. Davis had an incredible first four years with the team, rushing for over 1,000 yards each season and totalling 6,413 rushing yards total. If you’re keeping track, that means Davis averaged 3.3 times his average rushing yards per year in college. Whatever Davis and the Broncos were doing was working.
The year in question that makes this list is Davis’ 1998 season. During this season he played in 16 games and gained 2,008 rushing yards, 217 receiving yards, and scored 23 total touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro for the third straight year, and won the Associated Press NFL MVP award. As a team, the Broncos capped off Davis’ spectacular statistical year with the franchise’s first Super Bowl win, beating the Packers 31-24.
NORMALIZED SEASON SCORE: 2411.68
15. Adrian Peterson, 2012
Adrian Peterson is a physical freak. Like a few players on this list, he possesses size, power, and speed like few before him. A football and track and field star in high school, Peterson had high expectations placed on him when he came to Oklahoma. All he did was rush for an eye-popping 1,925 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns his freshman year. His sophomore and junior season weren’t quite as dominant, but he still broke 1,000 yards ever season and finished his career for the Sooners with 4,041 yards and 41 rushing touchdowns.
Needless to say, Peterson was a “can’t miss” prospect at the NFL level. He went seventh overall to the Minnesota Vikings and was a star from day one. He’d play 10 years in Minnesota and in that time rush for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns and add 1,945 yards and five touchdowns through the air.
The season that makes this list is Peterson’s 2012 campaign. During this season, Peterson played in 16 games and had 2,097 rushing yards, 217 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns. With this season, he now stands at No. 2 on the list trailing only Eric Dickerson for most rushing yards in a season. Peterson is still going strong playing for the Washington Redskins, and currently sits at eighth all time in career rushing yards with 13,318.
NORMALIZED SEASON SCORE: 2427.43
14. Marcus Allen, 1985
Lots of Chiefs’ fans have a special place in their hearts for Marcus Allen. Sure, he spent his formative years churning the turf for our hated cross-country rival in the Oakland Raiders. However, he had some great years for the Chiefs playing “Marty Ball” during the Schottenheimer era.
In fact, every year he played for the Chiefs he averaged over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and nearly 12 touchdowns. He was a productive cog in a well-oiled machine that won a lot of games in the 1990s.
That said, the year that finds its place on our list took place in The Black Hole. In 1985, Allen played in 16 games and gained 1,795 rushing yards, 555 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns. It was his best year as a pro and lands him at 14 on this list.
NORMALIZED SEASON SCORE: 2446.28