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So much talk during the 2021 NFL season has to do with dominant quarterback play around the league. But, sometimes, a good rushing attack can make the ultimate difference.
This year, 2021, was supposed to be the year of broken records because of the extra regular season game. But COVID and other injuries have played a big role, and so far, through 16 weeks, only four running backs have gone over 1,000 yards. In fact, Derrick Henry still ranks sixth in rushing, and he only played in eight games.
Let's take a look at the five players in front of Henry who enter Week 17 atop the NFL rushing leaderboard.
NFL rushing leaders entering Week 17
#5 - Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers - 984 yards
Henry was finally bumped from this list as Najee Harris is on pace to join the 1,000-yard club in Week 17. He had 19 carries for 93 yards as the Pittsburgh Steelers were blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs.
This was still a nice bounce-back week for Harris after he was held to 18 yards on 12 carries a week prior against the Tennessee Titans. In addition to nearing the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, he also has 422 receiving yards this year.
Harris was drafted to be a top weapon for Ben Roethlisberger, and he has exceeded expectations as a rookie. Getting to 1,000 yards will be a great accomplishment to begin his NFL career.
#4 - Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings - 1,067 yards
Dalvin Cook is fourth in the NFL in rushing and has only played in 11 games this season. That is how dominant he has been. The performance that defined his season came earlier this month when he ran all over the Steelers defense.
Cook had 27 carries for 205 yards in a Thursday night win over Pittsburgh. Going for over 200 yards is a great way to make up for lost time during the season. It marked his fourth game of, at least, 100 yards and was a huge rebound after a 39-yard performance the game prior.
Cook has still never played a full slate of games in any season of his NFL career. But he makes it count when he is on the field and is over 1,000 yards for the third consecutive season. That is impressive given how COVID has impacted the NFL since the start of the 2020 season.
His career high in yards came in 2020 with 1,557 and that was in only 14 games. He likely won't break that mark in 2021, but it's clear that, if he can play a full 17 games, that personal best should fall soon.
NFL rushing leaders entering Week 17
#3 - Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns - 1,143 yards
Nick Chubb has 1,143 yards on only 207 attempts this NFL season. That gives the Cleveland Browns running back a mind-blowing average of 5.5 yards per carry. His latest performance saw him run for 126 yards on only 17 carries against the Green Bay Packers.
It remains a question why Chubb does not get more carries in the Cleveland offense, especially with Kareem Hunt out. That is a question for head coach and play-caller Kevin Stefanski. There is no excuse to rest Chubb at this point in the season as the team chases a playoff spot.
No matter the workload, Chubb always produces in a big way. This is his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, and it could be his fourth, if not for a final total of 996 yards as a rookie.
Chubb is third in the NFL in only 12 games this season. A full season of work, along with more carries in general, could have Chubb in the MVP conversation in the future, if he keeps up his current pace.
#2 - Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals - 1,159 yards
Most of the talk surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals has to do with Joe Burrow leading the offense. But Joe Mixon has been a reliable veteran presence in the backfield and is second in the NFL in rushing yards.
Mixon has helped by being durable and just doing his job. He only has three 100-yard performances in 2021 and has not had more than 65 yards in any of his past four games. Yet the Bengals are in playoff contention, and Mixon is well over 1,000 yards.
Week 16 proved his value to the offense. While he only had 65 rushing yards, he added 70 as a receiver and had a touchdown, both, on the ground and via a reception.
The Bengals offense runs through Burrow. Yet having a reliable veteran like Mixon stay so consistent all year makes him a bit of an unsung hero in the turnaround seen in Cincinnati.
#1 - Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts - 1,626 yards
One cannot talk about NFL running backs this year without mentioning the name of Jonathan Taylor. He has vaulted himself into the MVP discussion with his play and just notched another 100-yard game in Week 16.
Taylor ran for 108 yards in a big win over the Arizona Cardinals to increase his season total to 1,626 yards. He has gone for, at least, 100 yards nine times this year and is also leading the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns.
Taylor is not likely to win the NFL MVP award this season. But just putting his name in the discussion proves how valuable he is to the Indianapolis Colts. The team began the year with a 1-4 record and major questions surrounding Carson Wentz.
That is right around the time when Taylor took off, and the Colts are now 9-6 at this late stage of the season. Opposing defenses not being able to stop Taylor may mean the Colts make a surprising Super Bowl run, thanks to a good old-fashioned power rushing attack.
