MY list for top Rushing Attacks in 2010...

[SorthNarolina]

That topic with that awful raking for NFL rushing attacks inspired me to try and make a list without looking like a doofus.

I've only been working on this for like an hour so it's not close to having summaries for all 32 teams, but my rankings are well thought out.

I may have forgotten a key fact or two and ranked a team too low or two high so feel free to point that out.

Top NFL rushing attacks for 2010

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have transformed their offense in just two years with rewards being two straight playoff appearances. Ray Rice and Willis Mcgahee form a well balanced tandem with Rice as the feature back. With much needed help at receiver and a steadily improving quarterback, expect Rice and McGahee to look unstoppable.

2. Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams are a rare tandem that the NFL only sees once a decade. Take a look at the YPC among all active backs and you will find Williams 2nd and Stewart tied for 3rd. The loss of Brad Hoover is a mild concern. With a very young and talented offensive line, the Panthers look to be the NFC’s premiere rushing attack for years to come.

3. Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson dominated opponents all year long amassing over 2,000 yards at an amazing 5.6 yards per carry. The Titans laughed at the idea of a two back league, handing the ball to Johnson 71% of the time. LenDale White was sent packing with the unproven Javon Ringer taking his place. The Titans took a chance on LaGarrete Blount as an undrafted free agent. With no proven Plan B, the Titans greatest strength could become a glaring weakness. They need Johnson to stay healthy.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson is the most well rounded and dynamic back in the game today. His chronic fumbling problem reared its ugly head in the championship game. With Brett Favre’s arrival in 09, the running game was supposed to dominate. Instead Favre had to carry the team throughout the year which eventually took its toll. The loss of Chester Taylor is a concern, but the arrival of the Stanford power back Toby Gerhart should be more than adequate.

5. New York Jets

The most productive ground game in the NFL allowed New York to ease their rookie quarterback into the action (Mark Sanchez ranked 32nd in passing attempts). With Thomas Jones gone the Jets will now depend on Shonn Greene to carry the load. Greene was key component of the Jets playoff run. The loss of Jones is a bit overblown. The Jets offensive line will allow nearly any back to be effective. The Defense will also make it easy for the Jets to run the ball. Expect LaDanian Tomlinson to only show up for goaline and “3rd and short” situations.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew had a career year in 09 without Fred Taylor there to share the workload. The intriguing back-up Rashad Jennings will be more involved in the offense in 2010 which can only be a good thing.

7. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have the NFL’s best backfield trio which runs behind a dominating offensive line. With the emergence of Felix Jones, Marion Barber will be able to return to his reserve role where he was actually much more effective. Tashard Choice is an excellent option for 3rd downs and should see his number called more frequently this year.

8. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcon’s backfield was completely derailed in 09. Turner fought through nagging injuries as did his partner Norwood. They need to stay healthy to return to 08’ form which is the key to the Falcon’s playoff hopes.

9. Miami Dolphins

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams form an excellent tandem. Brown is young but fragile. Williams is old and durable. The Dolphins lack stability in the backfield but as long as nobody rocks the boat, they’ll remain in the top 10. The offensive line is talented with room to improve. They should be able to pave the way for whoever takes the handoff.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

11. New Orleans Saints

12. Green Bay Packers

13. New York Giants

14. San Diego Chargers

15. Denver Broncos

16.San Francisco 49ers

17.Philadelphia Eagles

18. Kansas City Chiefs

19. Pittsburgh Steelers

20. Buffalo Bills

21. Houston Texans

22. Arizona Cardinals

23. Chicago Bears

24. New England Patriots

25. St. Louis Rams

26. Cleveland Browns

27. Indianapolis Colts

28. Washington Redskins

29. Oakland Raiders

30. Seattle Seahawks

31. Detroit Lions

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[SorthNarolina]

Also I want to add my qualifications.

1. youth, talent, depth, productivity, big play ability, fumbles, and the Offensive line/Fullback.

2. QB and WR. As having a good supporting cast will be beneficial for the running game.

3. Defense and Coach's tendancies.

[Lt Pinkerton]

I don't buy the Raven's being up top, I fail to see how they are better than the Panthers, Vikings or Titans. Also, the Saints should probably be higher I think. Good write-up though

[panthers55]

When you are talking top rushing attacks what are you referring to? Total yards on the ground, Yards per carry, success on third and short, TDs, etc.

For example the top team in yards per carry last year was Tennessee, we were second and Dallas was third. In total yards it was the Jets, Tennessee and then Carolina.

I realize that you used all these qualifiers as to what you considered but hardly any information about what you used to judge all that. For example

Youth- average age of all runners, years in the league or wear and tear as a function of carries? For example you could make a strong case that Tenneessee will be further down the list given Chris Johnson was so worked last year that he is very likely to have a down year like Turner did in 2009 from 2008.

QB and receivers- most of the time the better the receivers and quarterback, the lower the total running yards unless you are like the Saints and they threw and ran for a lot of yards.

[Boltergeist]

I don't buy the Raven's being up top, I fail to see how they are better than the Panthers, Vikings or Titans. Also, the Saints should probably be higher I think. Good write-up though

Throw in the woefully underused Le'Ron McClain, and I think BAL does deserve the top spot. I think the Jets (can Greene handle top billing and what does LT have left) and Jags (one man show) are too high. The KC punch of Charles/Jones is rated too low. Provided Ronnie Brown's healthy, then Miami is too low as well.

Also, it's Javon (not John) Ringer.

[SorthNarolina]

When you are talking top rushing attacks what are you referring to? Total yards on the ground, Yards per carry, success on third and short, TDs, etc.

For example the top team in yards per carry last year was Tennessee, we were second and Dallas was third. In total yards it was the Jets, Tennessee and then Carolina.

I realize that you used all these qualifiers as to what you considered but hardly any information about what you used to judge all that. For example

Youth- average age of all runners, years in the league or wear and tear as a function of carries? For example you could make a strong case that Tenneessee will be further down the list given Chris Johnson was so worked last year that he is very likely to have a down year like Turner did in 2009 from 2008.

QB and receivers- most of the time the better the receivers and quarterback, the lower the total running yards unless you are like the Saints and they threw and ran for a lot of yards.

My idea of a top rushing attack would be just a consistent ground attack where a team can run whenever they want.

I think Chris Johnson would have a down year if he was older, but I think he could hold up at his current pace for a year or two. He won't be as productive but I see him being just as effective. Eventually the wheels are going to fall off but he's young so he can take it for now.

Youth should be based on the amount of carries but because I didn't have time to search for all of that so it's mostly based on years in the league.

I think it would be reasonable to say that with a quality QB and some form of a receiving threat, it is going to enhance the running game's effectiveness. I would think that a run based team would usually win games where their quarterback plays well. It would just be a general trend, not a rule.

[Badinboarder87]

I would move Cleveland Browns way higher. They are a run-first team with a really good back (i forget his name), the guy that ran for 400 yards in a game. That's all they did, late in the season, was run. They should have a really good run game next season.

[SorthNarolina]

I don't buy the Raven's being up top, I fail to see how they are better than the Panthers, Vikings or Titans. Also, the Saints should probably be higher I think. Good write-up though

Just to use us as a guide.

The Ravens youth, depth, talent, big play ability, O-line and productivity are almost as good as ours.

Their rate of fumbles is might be a little better, not quite sure actually because it's hard to get stats of fumbles from the teams RB's.

Their fullback is better, their quarterback is better, and their wide receivers have much better depth right now so they're better as well.

They also have a much better defense which gives them the luxury to run as much as they please.

[SorthNarolina]

I would move Cleveland Browns way higher. They are a run-first team with a really good back (i forget his name), the guy that ran for 400 yards in a game. That's all they did, late in the season, was run. They should have a really good run game next season.

They do have a decent running game but the supporting cast is lacking so it's hard to rank them too high. That guy's rankings on here from a while ago had them at 32nd which was bullshit.

[CAVSS]

I would like to hear an argument that is based on facts and recorded events as to how Minnesota will have a better rushing attack than us. Seriously look at the stats and rankings from the last two years and explain it to me. Is Toby expected to rush for 1400 yards? If you only compare DWill and AP, then arguably AP wins out in rankings (apparently fumbles dont count against you because its Dwill 3-AP 15. But if you throw in the back ups its not even close. 2009 Carolina ranked #3 Vikings #13. 2008 (AP's breakout year but also Dwills to be fair) Carolina #3 Vikings #5

[Carolina Crazy V2]

Redskins should move wayyyyyyyyy up.

[Al Bundy]

I would move Cleveland Browns way higher. They are a run-first team with a really good back (i forget his name), the guy that ran for 400 yards in a game. That's all they did, late in the season, was run. They should have a really good run game next season.

What the fuck are you talking about? No one has ever rushed for 400 yards in a game. Adrian Peterson has the highest rushing total ever, with 296.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Throw in the woefully underused Le'Ron McClain, and I think BAL does deserve the top spot. I think the Jets (can Greene handle top billing and what does LT have left) and Jags (one man show) are too high. The KC punch of Charles/Jones is rated too low. Provided Ronnie Brown's healthy, then Miami is too low as well.

Also, it's Javon (not John) Ringer.

Also McClain is a fullback, so he is not underused. He had the second most rushing yards for a fullback this year.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

What the fuck are you talking about? No one has ever rushed for 400 yards in a game. Adrian Peterson has the top two highest rushing totals ever, with 296 and like 329.

Actually what the f*ck are you talking about? No one has ever rushed for more than 300 yards in a game. Yes, Adrian Peterson is number one, but he does not have the two highest rushing totals ever in a game.

All-Time Most Rushing Yards in a Game

296 yards- Adrian Peterson, Minnesota vs. San Diego, Nov. 4, 2007

295 yards- Jamal Lewis, Baltimore vs. Cleveland, Sept. 14, 2003

278 yards- Corey Dillon, Cincinnati vs. Denver, Oct. 22, 2000