I have a question for you. Is the running game dictating the 2024-25 NFL season? And I’m not just talking about the duel threat MVP candidates, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, I’m more so talking about the actual running backs.
But before we discuss this year, let me take you back about a year ago, during the offseason when some of the top backs in the league like Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, and Austin Ekeler fired out tweets in reaction to Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, and Tony Pollard failing to reach long-term deals as the NFL franchise tag deadline expired.
“What is the value of a running back” was a hot topic. We are not far removed from those top rushers complaining about the state of the running back market, but when you look at the impact running backs changing teams had, it’s hard to argue with just how valuable they are.
Josh Jacobs became a Packer this year, finishing 11-6. The Raiders, his old team, 4-13.
Derrick Henry helped the Ravens finish 12-5. His previous team, The Titans were 3-14.
David Montgomery is 15-2. His previous team, The Bears finished 5-12.
Saquan Barkley lead the Eagles to a 14-3 record, while his former team, The Giants went 3-14.
Now obviously, a lot of things went into those drastic record changes, but one of the biggest one’s was no doubt the movement of the running back.
I’ll ask another question. Did the running backs dictate the first round of the playoffs? Let’s have some fun with this.
Who was the better back this season, Joe Mixon or Dobbins? Mixon and the Texans won.
Who was the better back this season, Derrick Henry or Najee Harris? Henry and the Ravens won.
Who was the better back this season, James Cook or either Broncos’ backs? Cooks and the Bills won.
Who was the better back this season, Saquan Barkley or Josh Jacobs? Barkley and the Eagles won.
Who was the better back this season, Brian Robinson Jr or Bucky Irving? Now this is where the theory hits a speed bump because Bucky was better this season, but his team did not win last week.
Who was the better back this season, Kyren Williams or Aaron Jones? Williams and the Rams won.
Fascinating stuff huh? ⅚ of the games were won by the team with the better running back this season. Maybe just a coincidence, or is this the year of the running back?
Now with the divisional rounds upon us, will this trend continue?
To do so, that would mean, Henry and the Ravens would have to beat Cook and the Bills. Doable.
Barkley and the Eagles would have to beat Williams and the Rams. Doable.
Gibbs (or Montgomery) and the Lions would have to beat Robinson Jr and the Commanders. Doable.
And Mixon and the Texans would have to take out Hunt/Pacheco and the Chiefs. Whoaa Whoa! Not so fast there Parlay Prince…The Texans AIN’T going into Kansas City and beating the Chiefs…or are they???....
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