Ground and Pound. For at least one day, these guys have been the best. We’re looking back at those who have piled up the most single-game rushing yards in NFL history.
Sure, passing plays look pretty. And amazing catches might steal the time in the highlight reels.
But every true football fan knows that when the weather gets cold or windy – it’s the running game that comes to the forefront.
Here, we’ve looked back at some of the most dominant performances on the ground in the history of the NFL. From those players who stood out in the postseason to teams who have made their opponents suffer, we’ve got them all as we look at the single-game rushing records.
Most Rushing Yards in a Game
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: 296 yards
Nov. 4, 2007 vs. San Diego Chargers
With just 43 rushing yards through the first two quarters and having seen his Minnesota Vikings team’s missed field goal on the final play of the half returned by San Diego’s Antonio Cromartie for a 109-yard touchdown to give the Chargers a 14-7 lead, Peterson could not have been happy in the locker room.
And rather than replicate that performance (which would have been enough to better his season average of 83 yards per game), the rookie running back put his team on his back. He took his second carry of the second half and galloped for a 64-yard touchdown to start a run at history – history that nearly didn’t happen.
Only the quick thinking of a PR director alerting the coaching staff in the booth that Peterson was closing in on the single-game record for individual rushing yards led to his return for the Vikings’ final possession.
In the end, a simple 3-yard burst up the middle was enough for Peterson to claim the record by a single yard before he was immediately taken to the sideline as the Vikings took the knee to claim victory.
So the elusive 300-yard mark is still up for grabs, although Peterson believes a 400 game would have been in his sight if it wasn’t for the disappointing first-half showing.
2. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens: 295 yards
Sept. 14, 2003 vs. Cleveland Browns
Never have words been stuffed back into the mouths of someone with more force and venom than by Jamal Lewis. Heading into the Week 2 clash in the 2003 season, Cleveland Browns safety Earl Little stated to the press that he wasn’t that impressed with Lewis’ ability.
But after 295 yards and two touchdowns – including an 82-yard TD run, Little was forced to revise that opinion as a new NFL record was set, breaking Corey Dillon’s 278 by a considerable margin thanks to an 9.83 yards-per-carry average.
3. Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns: 286 yards
Dec. 20, 2009 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The closest a player has come to beating Peterson’s record came just two years after the marker was a set in a wild Week 15 game during the 2009 season.
Jerome Harrison’s performance is somewhat overshadowed by a game that featured TWO 100-plus yard kickoff returns for touchdowns by Josh Cribbs. But a game-winning touchdown, his third of the day, in the 41-34 shootout saw Harrison end the day with 286 yards. It broke the Browns’ franchise record that had been held for 52 yards by Jim Brown, who was there to congratulate him.
The Best of the Rest:
- 4. Corey Dillon: 278 yards (Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos, Oct. 22, 2000)
- 5. Walter Payton: 275 yards (Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 20, 1977)
- 6. OJ Simpson: 273 yards (Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions, Nov. 25, 1976)
- 7. Shaun Alexander: 266 yards (Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders, Nov. 11, 2001)
- 8. Jamaal Charles: 259 yards (Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, Jan. 3, 2010)
- T-9. DeMarco Murray/Jonathan Taylor: 253 yards
Most Rushing Yards in a Game By a Rookie
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: 296
Nov. 4, 2007 vs. San Diego Chargers
As mentioned, Peterson holds both the all-time mark and rookie record for most rushing yards in a game by a rookie for his performance against the Chargers.
The Best of the Rest:
- T-2. Jonathan Taylor: 253 (Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Jan. 3, 2021)
T-2. DeMarco Murray: 253 (Dallas Cowboys vs. St. Louis Rams, Oct. 23, 2011) - T-4. Doug Martin: 251 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland Raiders, Nov. 4, 2012)
T-4. Mike Anderson: 252 (Denver Broncos at New Orleans Saints, Dec. 3, 2000) - 6. Corey Dillon: 246 (Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans, Dec. 4, 1997)
- 7. Jim Brown: 237 (Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 24, 1957)
- 8. Clinton Portis: 228 (Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 29, 2002)
- 9. Adrian Peterson: 224 (Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, Oct. 14, 2007)
Most Rushing Yards in a Playoff Game
1. Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams: 248 yards
Jan. 4, 1986 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Despite having set the single-season rushing record the previous year, Eric Dickerson still felt he had a point to prove in the 1986 playoffs against a Tom Landry-led Dallas Cowboys with the legendary head coach believing the Rams had picked the former SMU running back too high in the draft.
Despite knowing that Los Angeles would be relying on Dickerson as its main offensive threat (as proven by quarterback Dieter Brock completing just 6 of 22 passes in the win), the Cowboys seemingly had no answer to the future Hall of Famer, who had rushing touchdowns of 55 and 40 yards in the 20-0 victory.
Not that it helped the Rams too much as the following week in the NFC championship game, Dickerson was held to 46 yards and fumbled twice as the Chicago Bears recorded their own 24-0 victory on their way to capturing their first NFL Championship since 1963, and maiden Super Bowl triumph.
2. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers: 220 yards
Jan. 19, 2020 vs. Green Bay Packers
Philadelphia Eagles. Miami Dolphins. Baltimore Ravens. Cleveland Browns. New York Jets. Chicago Bears.
The six cuts in Raheem Mostert’s playing career that eventually saw him land in San Francisco and destroy the Green Bay Packers’ dreams in the NFC championship game. He ran 29 times for 220 yards, recording four touchdowns in the process with 34.5% of his rushes resulting in first downs.
His 7.59 yards per carry were more than Aaron Rodgers had been able to manage in his yards-per-pass during the 2019 regular season as, once again, a second Super Bowl appearance would elude the quarterback following a 37-20 loss to the 49ers.
3. Lamar Smith, Miami Dolphins: 209 yards
Dec. 30, 2000 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Some happy memories for Miami Dolphins fans here with the 23-17 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts being the team’s last postseason win
Rushing 40 times for 209 yards, Lamar Smith’s game-winning 17-yard touchdown (one of two on the day) came as the Dolphins’ defense held the Peyton Manning-led offense to under 200 passing yards and a solitary touchdown. It was fun while it lasted, and Miami would go on to lose 27-0 to the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round.
The Best of the Rest:
- 4. Keith Lincoln: 206 yards (San Diego Chargers vs. Boston Patriots, Jan. 5, 1964)
- 5. Timmy Smith: 204 yards (Washington vs. Denver Broncos, Jan. 31, 1988)
- T-6. Lawrence McCutcheon & Freeman McNeil: 202 yards
- 8. Ryan Grant: 201 yards (Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks, Jan. 1, 2008)
- 9. Terrell Davis: 199 yards (Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins, Jan. 9, 1999)
Most Rushing Yards in a Playoff Game by a Rookie
1. Timmy Smith, Washington: 204
Jan. 31, 1988 vs. Denver Broncos
See more on Smith’s historic performance below.
Most Rushing Yards in a Super Bowl
1. Timmy Smith, Washington: 204 yards
Jan. 31, 1988 vs. Denver Broncos
After just 29 carries during the 1987 regular season, Timmy Smith had the shock of his life when just moments before Super Bowl XXII, quarterback Doug Williams came up and told him he’d be starting ahead of the injured George Rogers.
The rookie didn’t disappoint against the Denver Broncos, enjoying his 60 minutes of fame as part of Washington’s 42-10 rout. It included a 35-point second quarter in which Smith recorded one of his two touchdowns courtesy of a 58-yard scamper. It wouldn’t be enough to be named MVP, with Williams taking the honors thanks to four touchdowns in a 340-yard passing performance.
Smith never reached these heights in the NFL again, missing the following offseason workouts and training camps following a contract dispute. He eventually returned before losing his starting job after Week 8, departing the league just two years later after a one-game spell with the Dallas Cowboys when he was replaced by a guy named Emmitt Smith.
2. Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders: 191 yards
Jan. 22, 1984 vs. Washington
While Timmy Smith only enjoyed a fleeting glimpse of fame, the same can’t be said for the man who’s record he broke.
Marcus Allen’s dominant performance on the ground against Washington saw him rush for 191 yards, including that memorable 74-yard effort for a touchdown on what looked like a busted play. It’s still the record for the longest rushing touchdown in Super Bowl history.
Allen was named the MVP for Super Bowl XVIII, making him the only player to have won (deep breath): the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, the Super Bowl, and been named both an NFL and Super Bowl MVP. Pity the house movers when it comes to shifting that trophy cabinet.
3. John Riggins, Washington: 166 yards
Jan. 30, 1983 vs. Miami Dolphins
I know younger readers might be surprised to see Washington’s name appear so many times in a list of Super Bowl appearances, but spare a thought for John Riggins who could only watch from the sidelines in 1984 as the record he set the year previously was dismantled by Allen.
Even more galling, Riggins needed to attempt 38 carries to get to his mark of 166 yards, with most of them coming on a 43-yard TD run. Allen, meanwhile, was able to set his mark of 191 yards off just 20 carries.
The Best of the Rest:
- 4. Franco Harris: 158 yards (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings, Jan. 12, 1975)
- 5. Terrell Davis: 157 yards (Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers, Jan. 25, 1998)
- 6. Larry Csonka: 145 yards (Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings, Jan. 13, 1974)
- 7. Clarence Davis: 137 yards (Oakland Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings, Jan. 9, 1977)
- 8. Thurman Thomas: 135 yards (Buffalo Bills vs. New York Giants, Jan. 2, 1991)
- 9. Emmitt Smith: 132 yards (Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills, Jan. 30, 1994)
- 10. Michael Pittman: 124 yards (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders, Jan. 26, 2003)
Most Team Rushing Yards
1. New York Giants: 423 yards
Nov. 19, 1950 vs. Baltimore Colts
In 1958, the greatest game ever played took place between the New York Giants and Baltimore Colts. The nationally televised contest played a significant factor in the growth of professional football as 12 future Hall of Famers went head-to-head.
Just eight years previously though, in front of 14,573 fans, the Giants set the greatest ever rushing performance by a team in the history of the NFL as they dismantled the Colts with a 423-yard game on the ground with seven different players getting their hands on the pigskin.
Eddie Price led the way with 145 yards and two scores on 17 carries as the Giants overturned a 13-point deficit with 48 unanswered points in a 55-20 victory.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: 407 yards
Oct. 22, 2000 vs. Denver Broncos
Yes, it’s hard to believe that in a list of ‘positives things to have happened to a franchise,’ we are including the 2000 Cincinnati Bengals.
Coming into their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos’ then second-ranked rushing defense was bad enough. Add in that the Bengals were 0-6 at this point, with their nearest margin of defeat standing at nine points AND they had already been shut out three times. Quite frankly this had the recipe for disaster.
What nobody had counted on was Corey Dillon going off for what was then an NFL record 278 rushing yards (you can double check at the top) as the Bengals passed just twice all game long, with both of those attempts coming in the first quarter of a 31-21 victory that included Peter Warrick and Brandon Bennett also finding the end zone.
The Best of the Rest:
- 3. Chicago Bears: 406 yards (vs. Green Bay Packers, Nov. 6, 1955)
- 4. Baltimore Ravens: 404 yards (vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Jan. 3, 2021)
- 5. Dallas Texans: 398 yards (vs. Houston Oilers, Oct. 1, 1961)
- 6. Chicago Bears: 382 yards (vs. Washington, Dec. 12, 1940)
- 7. Kansas City Chiefs: 380 yards (vs. Denver Broncos, Oct. 23, 1966)
- 8. Minnesota Vikings: 378 yards (vs. San Diego Chargers, Nov. 4, 2007)
- T-9. Detroit Lions/New York Giants: 377 yards (both vs. New York Yanks, 1950)
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