The NFL has quickly turned into a passing league. If your team doesn't have a franchise quarterback, your team is most likely going to be watching the playoffs from home. However, there are some teams that run the ball quite well. Which teams have the best running back tandems in the league?
C.J Spiller and Fred Jackson Are Historically Good
Fred Jackson ran for over 900 yards in only nine games last season. This season, he is averaging 3.7 yards per carry. That may seem below average, but that is mostly due to a recent injury that has been nagging him this season. In his last game against Tennessee, he averaged 7.9 yards per carry. If he is completely healthy, recent history suggests that he can easily hit an average of five yards per carry or more.
C.J Spiller has been electric all season. Through seven games, he is averaging 7.3 yards per carry. While that number is impressive, it is actually down from his season high of 10 yards per carry that he was averaging earlier in the season. If he continues to average more than seven yards a carry through the rest of the season, he will have one of the all-time best averages per carry in NFL history. He will be in a category with the likes of Jim Brown and other great running backs.
Alfred Morris And RGIII Set The Pace In Washington
Alfred Morris was a sixth round pick by the Redskins in the 2012 draft. So far this season, he has rushed for 717 yards. Morris has averaged 4.7 yards per carry with five touchdowns. For a sixth round pick, he has certainly surpassed expectations. What is even more amazing is that he was in a crowded backfield with the likes of Roy Helu and Evan Royster. His emergence shows that he will be a force for years to come.
RGIII was the higher profile pick among the two leading rushers in Washington. However, it is surprising that he would be among the top rushers in the league. Quarterbacks are typically known for their ability to pass the ball. RGIII has rushed for 476 yards with an average of almost seven yards per carry. He has also added six touchdowns on the ground. He has certainly been a great pickup for anyone who has him on their fantasy team.
Houston Can Run The Ball With Authority
There is no question that Adrian Foster is among the best running backs in the league. While he is only averaging around four yards a carry, he is a threat to break a big run at any time. Foster is also a great option out of the backfield to catch a pass or two as well. Foster has nine touchdowns on the ground and one through the air.
Ben Tate is another running back that the Texans like to put on the field when Foster needs a rest. The good news for the Texans is that Tate would be a quality starting running back in the NFL if Arian Foster wasn't his teammate. While Tate is also averaging close to four yards a carry, he is instrumental in helping the Texans control the clock and tire out opposing defenses. Tate and Foster are one of the biggest reasons why the Texans are 6-1 this season.
When it comes to running the ball, there are some teams that can do it better than others. The Bills, Redskins and Texans are three teams that can hurt you on the ground. While there are other teams that have a great runner on their roster, only these teams can legitimately beat you with more than one rushing option.
Be sure to check out my other unit rankings for 2012: Defensive Line | Secondaries | Linebacking | Offensive Line | Wide Receiving
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