As the NFL season approaches its conclusion, a notable trend has emerged: the number of high-impact running backs is matching the number of prolific receivers. Led by free agent acquisitions Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, 11 players have surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, reflecting a significant shift from recent seasons.
Historically, the last time the league saw as many 1,000-yard rushers as receivers in a single season was in 2010, when both groups totaled 17. While this season may not reach that milestone, the numbers are much closer compared to the past decade, where receivers consistently outnumbered rushers—233 to 110.
Barkley, currently leading the league with 1,838 rushing yards, could become the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards in a season. He is also within striking distance of Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. With 268 yards needed in the final weeks, Barkley has showcased his big-play potential, including a 68-yard touchdown run against Washington. He has made history as the first player to record four touchdown runs of 65 yards or more in a single season.
Henry, who has amassed 1,636 rushing yards, is also making headlines. This marks the first season since 2012 with multiple running backs exceeding 1,600 yards. Henry has now surpassed 1,500 yards in a season four times, placing him just one behind Barry Sanders’ record of five such seasons, alongside legends like Dickerson, Walter Payton, and Edgerrin James.
Record-Setting Rookie Performances
Rookies Jayden Daniels of Washington and Brock Bowers of Las Vegas are on track for record-breaking seasons. Daniels threw five touchdown passes in a thrilling 36-33 comeback win over Philadelphia, ending Washington’s 98-game losing streak when trailing by at least 13 points in the fourth quarter. He finished with 258 passing yards and 81 rushing yards, joining 2015 MVP Cam Newton as the only players in NFL history to achieve at least 250 passing yards, 75 rushing yards, and five touchdown passes in a single game.
With 737 rushing yards this season, Daniels needs just 79 more to break Robert Griffin III’s record of 815 rushing yards for a rookie quarterback set in 2012. He is also only the second rookie QB to win 10 games while accumulating at least 4,000 yards in total offense, a feat previously accomplished by Andrew Luck in 2012.
Bowers had a standout game with 11 catches for 99 yards, tying Anquan Boldin for the third-most receptions by a rookie in a season with 101. He needs five more catches in the final two weeks to break the record set by Puka Nacua last season. Additionally, Bowers has recorded 1,067 receiving yards, just nine shy of the rookie tight end record held by Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
Record-Setting Kicking Season
In a season characterized by long kicks, Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey has set an NFL record with 14 field goals of 50 yards or more. This achievement surpasses Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn, who has made 13 such kicks this season. Together, they account for 27 of the record 173 field goals from at least 50 yards, breaking last season’s record of 158.
Aubrey’s impressive performance includes two kicks from 58 yards, one from 53, and another from 49 yards this past week. His 36 successful field goals have totaled 1,636 yards, setting a new record for the most yards on made field goals in a single season, eclipsing Justin Tucker’s previous record of 1,601 yards in 2016.
49ers’ Struggles Continue
The San Francisco 49ers have extended their unusual pattern of inconsistency, securing a losing season despite previous successes. Over the past 22 seasons, the team has achieved a winning record only seven times but has reached the NFC Championship Game or Super Bowl in each of those years.
Despite being tied for the ninth-fewest winning seasons in this span, the 49ers have the second-most appearances in conference championship games, trailing only New England. The franchise has historically struggled following Super Bowl losses, as evidenced by their 6-10 record in 2020 after losing to Kansas City.
Packers Deliver Season’s First Shutout
In a notable defensive performance, the Green Bay Packers delivered the NFL’s first shutout of the season, defeating the New Orleans Saints 34-0. This victory ensures that the 2024 season will not be the first in NFL history without a shutout. The previous low for shutouts in a season was two, a mark reached five times, including twice during the Super Bowl era in 1994 and 2015.This shutout marks the latest in the season for the first team to be blanked, with the NFL never going more than eight weeks into a campaign without a shutout since 2010.
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