NFL RecordsNFL Single Season Rushing Yards Records
Top 15 single-season rushing performances in NFL history (regular season)
| Rank | Player | Yards | Season | Carries | Avg | TDs | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eric Dickerson | 2,105 | 1984 | 379 | 5.6 | 14 | LA Rams |
| 2 | Adrian Peterson | 2,097 | 2012 | 348 | 6.0 | 12 | MIN |
| 3 | Jamal Lewis | 2,066 | 2003 | 387 | 5.3 | 14 | BAL |
| 4 | Barry Sanders | 2,053 | 1997 | 335 | 6.1 | 11 | DET |
| 5 | Derrick Henry | 2,027 | 2020 | 378 | 5.4 | 17 | TEN |
| 6 | Terrell Davis | 2,008 | 1998 | 392 | 5.1 | 21 | DEN |
| 7 | Chris Johnson | 2,006 | 2009 | 358 | 5.6 | 14 | TEN |
| 8 | O.J. Simpson | 2,003 | 1973 | 332 | 6.0 | 12 | BUF |
| 9 | Barry Sanders | 1,883 | 1994 | 331 | 5.7 | 7 | DET |
| 10 | LaDainian Tomlinson | 1,815 | 2006 | 348 | 5.2 | 28 | SD |
| 11 | Eric Dickerson | 1,821 | 1983 | 390 | 4.7 | 18 | LA Rams |
| 12 | Earl Campbell | 1,934 | 1980 | 373 | 5.2 | 13 | HOU |
| 13 | Emmitt Smith | 1,773 | 1995 | 377 | 4.7 | 25 | DAL |
| 14 | Walter Payton | 1,852 | 1977 | 339 | 5.5 | 14 | CHI |
| 15 | Clinton Portis | 1,591 | 2002 | 273 | 5.8 | 15 | DEN |
Players Who Rushed for 2,000+ Yards in a Season
| Player | Yards | Season | Team | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Dickerson | 2,105 | 1984 | LA Rams | 16 |
| Adrian Peterson | 2,097 | 2012 | MIN | 16 |
| Jamal Lewis | 2,066 | 2003 | BAL | 16 |
| Barry Sanders | 2,053 | 1997 | DET | 16 |
| Derrick Henry | 2,027 | 2020 | TEN | 16 |
| Terrell Davis | 2,008 | 1998 | DEN | 16 |
| Chris Johnson | 2,006 | 2009 | TEN | 16 |
| O.J. Simpson | 2,003 | 1973 | BUF | 14 |
⚡ Only 8 players in NFL history have rushed for 2,000+ yards in a single season. O.J. Simpson's record was set in a 14-game season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NFL single-season rushing yards record?
Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams holds the NFL single-season rushing yards record with 2,105 yards during the 1984 season. He surpassed O.J. Simpson's previous record of 2,003 yards set in 1973 (in a 14-game season) and broke the record in his second NFL season.
How many rushing yards did Adrian Peterson gain in his record 2012 season?
Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards in the 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings — just 8 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's all-time record. Peterson missed the previous season due to a torn ACL and MCL, making his comeback one of the most remarkable individual performances in NFL history. He won NFL MVP that year.
Who has rushed for 2,000 yards in a season in the NFL?
Only eight players have rushed for 2,000 yards in a single NFL season: Eric Dickerson (2,105 in 1984), Adrian Peterson (2,097 in 2012), Jamal Lewis (2,066 in 2003), Barry Sanders (2,053 in 1997), Derrick Henry (2,027 in 2020), Terrell Davis (2,008 in 1998), Chris Johnson (2,006 in 2009), and O.J. Simpson (2,003 in 1973 — in a 14-game season).
What year did Barry Sanders rush for over 2,000 yards?
Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions rushed for 2,053 yards in the 1997 season, becoming one of only a handful of players to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. Sanders won the NFL rushing title that year and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He surprisingly retired in 1999 just 1,457 yards short of Walter Payton's all-time record.