

Gale Sayers "The Kansas Comet," possessed an unparalleled brilliance on the football field that was tragically cut short by injury. Sayers scored a record six touchdowns in one single game Scored the most touchdowns by a rookie in NFL history Nonetheless, he amassed a career total of 12,739 rushing yards, securing the second spot on the all-time list behind the legendary Walter Payton. If not for a shortened 1982, Dorsett would have opened his career with an incredible streak of nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Standing as the tenth-leading rusher in NFL history, Dorsett's achievements also include a Super Bowl championship (XII) and his induction into the Hall of Fame. Throughout his 12-season career, Dorsett consistently surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, showcasing his remarkable talent year after year.ĭorsett possessed game-changing speed and was always a threat to break loose for a long touchdown. Tony Dorsett, a Heisman Trophy winner, and a four-time All-American, entered the NFL with immense expectations - and he certainly lived up to them. His iconic 99-yard touchdown run remains a cherished memory, earning him the record for the longest run from scrimmage that may never be surpassed.Īlthough Dorsett may sometimes be overshadowed by the star-studded Cowboys of the 1990s, he was undeniably one of the premier running backs of his era, possessing explosive speed and exceptional receiving skills. Tony Dorsett Career Highlight Statsīefore Emmitt Smith took the spotlight, Dorsett was the star of the Dallas Cowboys, leading the team to its second Super Bowl triumph and posting an impressive eight 1,000-yard seasons. However, we must narrow it down to the 10 greatest players of all-time.Ĭonsidering a comprehensive range of criteria – from statistical prowess and personal achievements to team success, supporting casts, era dynamics and overall impact - here are the 10 greatest running backs of all time. In NFL history, there have been numerous extraordinary running backs who deserve recognition. Yet, amidst these changes, running backs have consistently played a crucial role, allowing us to assess their greatness with some level of continuity.

While quarterbacks and wide receivers often grab the spotlight, there is an undeniable allure in watching a truly exceptional running back shred through a defence, striving to gain every inch, break tackles and leave defenders in their wake.īut how can we compare running backs across different eras?įootball has evolved, and with it, the roles and strategies of the game. The Chiefs finally ended the streak at 21 regular season games when WR Jeremy Maclin caught a TD pass in Week 3 of the 2015 season.In today's era of high-flying passing attacks, the artistry of a dominant rushing game remains a captivating sight that can sway the tides of victory. The Chiefs, eliminated from playoff contention after a Ravens win, officially finished an entire season without a WR catching a touchdown pass. 385 days and 19 games later, we're still waiting to put "Chiefs wide receiver" and "touchdown" in the same sentence. The fewest touchdown catches by a group of wide receivers in a 16-game season is two, set by the 1981 Saints and matched by the 2004 Giants.īut then in 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs went the entire season without a wide receiver catching a touchdown pass (from the Sporting News article):Īlex Smith hit wide receiver Dwayne Bowe for a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter of a 45-10 win over the Redskins on Dec. That article also says that before 2014, no team had ever had fewer than 2 touchdown catches by a wide receiver in a 16 game season:

The last team to do it was the Giants in 1964, when the Bears had the NFL's best passing offense at just over 200 yards per game.Īnother article mentions the two teams besides the 1964 Giants who did that:ĭelving further into history yields other teams, including 1960 Washington and 1950 Pittsburgh, who didn't have a "wide receiver" catch a TD pass.

Only three teams have gone through a season without a wide receiver catching a touchdown, and all of them played in a bygone era. Yes, according to the Sporting News, three teams from before the NFL's modern era did that: "Has an NFL team ever gone an entire season without a wide receiver catching a touchdown pass?"
