In Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley put on a show, rushing for 255 yards against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. While this performance was the NFL’s season-high, where does it rank all-time?
Top 10 Rushing Performances in NFL History
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: 296 yards
On Nov. 4, 2007, Peterson torched the then-San Diego Chargers for 296 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt across his 30 carries. Minnesota won the game, 35-17.
What makes this record-setting performance even crazier is that Peterson was a rookie. The Vikings selected Peterson with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and the running back made an immediate impact. He finished his rookie campaign with 1,341 yards and 13 total touchdowns across 14 games (and just nine starts).
2. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens: 295 yards
On Sept. 14, 2003, Lewis came just one yard shy of tying Peterson’s NFL record in the Ravens’ 33-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. Like Peterson, Lewis carried the ball 30 times, rushing for 295 yards and two touchdowns (including an 82-yarder).
Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller completed just 7 of 17 passes for 78 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception in this game, meaning Lewis accounted for 75.1% of Baltimore’s total yards. Lewis put the Ravens on his back and dominated, even when the Browns knew what was coming. That year, Lewis rushed for 2,066 yards — the third-most rushing yards in a single season.
3. Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns: 286 yards
While the other names on this list are all pretty recognizable, Harrison was a fifth-round pick who bounced around the NFL, playing for three different NFL teams throughout his seven pro seasons. He rushed for just 1,681 yards across his career, but he had the game of his life on Dec. 20, 2009, against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Harrison rushed 34 times for 286 yards and three touchdowns while adding two catches for 12 yards. It was clear that Harrison was on fire, so Cleveland kept giving him the ball. Similar to Lewis’ performance, the Browns’ passing attack couldn’t get anything going, as Brady Quinn completed 10 of 17 passes for 66 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. Harrison didn’t need any help, leading Cleveland to a 41-34 win.
4. Corey Dillon, Cincinnati Bengals: 278 yards
On Oct. 22, 2000, Dillon led the Cincinnati Bengals past the Denver Broncos, rushing 22 times for 278 yards and two touchdowns (including a 65-yarder). Dillon averaged a whopping 12.6 yards per attempt. But unlike the other games on this list, Dillon wasn’t the only one on his team who dominated on the ground.
MORE: All-Time NFL RB Records: Single-Game, Season, Career, Rookie Leaders
Other Bengals got in on the fun that day, as the team totaled 407 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Peter Warrick had three carries for 90 yards and a touchdown, while backup running back Brandon Bennett added a rushing score too. The Bengals were 0-6 entering this game against the 4-3 Broncos, but they defeated Denver 31-21.
5. Walter Payton, Chicago Bears: 275 yards
On Nov. 20, 1977, Payton led the Bears to a 10-7 victory over the Vikings, rushing 40 times for 275 yards and one touchdown. That’s right, 40 carries! This is tied for the 11th-most carries in an NFL game (the record is 45 to Washington’s Jamie Morris in 1988).
Chicago attempted just six passes (and completed four) in this game, with quarterback Bob Avellini throwing for just 33 yards and an interception. While Payton dominated on the ground, backup running backs Robin Earl and Johnny Musso also combined for 19 carries and 73 yards. In total, the Bears rushed the ball 63 times for 343 yards and a score.
6. O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills: 273 yards
So far, every insane rushing performance on this list has been in a win, but this is the first dominant showing in a losing effort. On Nov. 25, 1976, the Detroit Lions defeated the Bills, 27-14, but Simpson finished the game with 29 carries for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
Bills quarterback Gary Marangi completed just 4 of 21 passes for 29 yards and an interception, so Simpson was singlehandedly trying to lift Buffalo to victory. He was responsible for 88.9% of the Bills’ total yards in this loss, which dropped Buffalo to 2-10.
7. Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks: 266 yards
On Nov. 11, 2001, Alexander led the Seahawks to a 34-27 victory over the then-Oakland Raiders. He carried the ball 35 times for 266 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
The Seahawks totaled 497 yards in this contest, defeating Rich Gannon, Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, and Co. That year, Alexander rushed for 1,318 yards and an NFL-best 14 rushing touchdowns (while also contributing 343 receiving yards and two scores through the air).
8. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs: 259 yards
On Jan. 3, 2010, Charles led the Chiefs to a 44-24 victory over the Broncos, rushing 25 times for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
With Matt Cassel completing 13 of 24 passes for 207 yards and an interception, the Chiefs leaned on Charles and he carried them to victory. Charles finished that season with 1,467 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns.
9. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 255 yards
On Nov. 25, 2024, Barkley dominated the Los Angeles Rams to the tune of 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging a ridiculous 9.8 yards per attempt. The Eagles star also caught four passes for 47 yards, meaning he totaled 302 yards against the Rams.
Kenneth Gainwell added another touchdown on the ground, so Philly finished the contest with 314 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles defeated the Rams 37-20.
10. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 253 yards
On Jan. 3, 2021, Taylor led the Indianapolis Colts to a 28-14 victory over the 1-14 Jacksonville Jaguars. Taylor rushed the ball 30 times for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and the Colts totaled 437 yards on offense.
Taylor set career-highs that season with 332 carries for 1,811 yards and 20 total touchdowns, averaging 106.5 yards per game.