DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 4: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes for a 48 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 4, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
It’s hard to decide what constitutes a great performance in a game. For some players, it’s sheer numbers; for others, it’s succeeding in the most pressure-filled moments. This article attempts to balance both to find the 10 greatest single-game performances by an NFL Running Back. Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments!
10. Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers (1965)
(Original Caption) 11/30/1969-Chicago, IL- Chicago Bears RB Gale Sayers (40) finds an open spot and leaps over teammate, Bob Wallace (89), rushing for 20 yards in the 2nd quarter of the game with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns grabbed the title in the NFL Century Division with a 28-24 victory over the Bears.
Sayers had 6 TDs, including 4 rushing TDs and a punt return, giving him 336 total yards from scrimmage in the game
9. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams (2024)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Barkley’s 255 rushing yards is the ninth-highest single-game total
8. Corey Dillon, Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos (2000)
Text: 1999.1212.10.1–BENGALS–digital image–Corey Dillon of the Bengals breaks the tackle of Antinio Langam of the Browns and gains several yards in the 1st quarter as the Bengals beat the Browns at Cinergy Field Sunday. Photo by Craig Ruttle/Cincinnati Enquirer
Text 1999 1212 10 1 Bengals Digital Image Corey Dillon Of The Bengals Breaks The Tackle Of Antinio Langam Of The Browns And Gains Several Yards In The 1st Quarter As The Bengals Beat The Browns At Cinergy Field Sunday Photo By Craig Ruttle Cincinnati Enquirer
Dillon had 278 yards and 2 TDs, which broke Walter Payton’s record
7. Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Rams (1957)
(Original Caption) Jim Brown (32) has just taken hand off from Quarterback Frank Ryan (13) in game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brown set an NFL rookie record with 237 rushing yards and 4 TDs.
6. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars (2018)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 13: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at TIAA Bank Field on December 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Henry had 238 rushing yards and 4 TDs on the day, including a 99-yard TD run.
5. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns (2003)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during a NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on November 7, 2004 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Lewis had 295 yards and 2 TDs, which broke a 23-year-old record.
4. Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2009)
September 12, 2010; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Harrison (35) runs with the ball during the first half Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Harrison had 286 rushing yards, which is the third-most in NFL history
3. O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions (1976)
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1985, in 1974. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
Simpson’s 273 rushing yards set the NFL single-game record at the time
2. Walter Payton, Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings (1977)
American football player Walter Payton (1953 – 1999), of the Chicago Bears, pictured in uniform, Chicago, Illinois, November 21st 1977. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Dealing with the flu, “Sweetness” broke O.J. Simpson’s single-game rushing record with 275 yards.
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. San Diego Chargers (2007)
GREEN BAY, WI – JANUARY 03: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings hurdles Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of their game at Lambeau Field on January 3, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Peterson ran for 296 rushing yards and had 3 TDs. His 253 rushing yards in the second half set an NFL record.
