I’m not sure if I or a significant portion of other football fans are the resentful party here.
Saquon Barkley breaking the single-season rushing record would not have reached that level, but I’m all for witnessing moments that will last a lifetime.
When that title is taken into consideration, the current record holder, Eric Dickerson, is already standing—or running—on precarious ground. In his 1984 sophomore season, the former SMU standout did indeed cruise to 2105 yards for the Rams, but it took him 16 games to reach that total. Orenthal James Simpson ran for 2003 yards in just 14 games eleven years prior.
The real record holder is O.J., and you don’t have to like it. He averaged 143.1 yards per game in 1973, whereas Dickerson’s average was 131.6, only a bit higher than Adrian Peterson’s 131.1 in 2012.
I get that different generations have different opportunities and challenges for NFL rushers, but I can’t think of a more accurate way to compare things than per-game averages. This, in my opinion, is the real scoreboard among the nine men who have achieved magical 2k:
Sanders receives special mention for achieving 2,000 on the nose in the final 14 games of 1997 after running for just 53 combined yards in the Lions’ first two games of the season, while Dickerson merits extra recognition because he reached his 1984 mark in just 15 games (everyone else took 16).
The unpleasant reality is that O.J.’s 1973 season is superior to the others. For numerous decades, Washington running back Timmy Smith has owned the Super Bowl single-game rush record. The tendency for us to downplay otherwise stellar records when we don’t like the person who possesses them is an intriguing aspect of the human condition. Also see: MLB’s career hit leader; MLB’s single-season and career HR leader.
I don’t mean to minimize Saquon’s outstanding season; in fact, he and Josh Allen would have tied for first place on my imaginary MVP ballot. However, it wouldn’t have made sense to jeopardize the Eagles’ realistic hopes of winning the Super Bowl for a figure that would have earned an asterisk in the manner of Roger Maris.
NFL Week 18 predictions and best bets
Giants vs. Eagles
It’s time for the Giants to finish the season as three-point underdogs against the second-string players of a division foe. But they must not make the error of allowing Brian Daboll go at the end of the season.
You would have heard the Giants head coach correctly name Jayden Daniels as the top quarterback prospect and Malik Nabors as the best wide receiver option (over M. Harrison and R. Odunze) in last spring’s draft if you watched the offseason series Hard Knocks.
Given the blunders made in letting Saquon Barkley go, keeping Daniel Jones, and Drew Lock’s performance in Week 17, which probably cost them a chance at either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, the team will need to evaluate its players well.
Forecast: 24–20 Eagles
Vikings vs. Lions
We should be supporting Dan Campbell’s tenacious Lions, even if it means contradicting my earlier remarks that Saquon and Philadelphia have more important responsibilities. The Detroit offense put on another dominant show last Sunday as a result of Campbell’s decision to have his top players play at full capacity in a pointless game against the Niners, even though there was no realistic reason to do so.
It’s unlikely that the Lions could afford to miss out on playoffs without Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, or Jahmyr Gibbs any more than Philadelphia could without Saquon Barkley. The distinction here is that Campbell’s constant message and strategy have focused on ruthlessly overwhelming opponents ever since he arrived in Motor City. Even while it puts the top seed at risk, there is something honorable about that in this age of load management.
Over 929.5 pass yards, Sam Darnold (-113)
Addison Jordan TD (+140)
More than 74.5 rush yards (+215) for Aaron Jones
34–28 Lions is the prediction.
Chiefs vs. Broncos
As a double-digit dog, are the Chiefs? Everyone is aware that Andy Reid intends to attend this game with his entire coaching staff.
Points over 14.5 (+105) for the Chiefs team
Over 20.5 rush yards (-110) for Bo Nix
Over 1.5 rec, Jaleel McLaughlin (+145)
Forecast: 23–21 Broncos
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