The Most Rushing Yards in an NFL Season

• Rushing Yards: 296
• Date: November 4th, 2007
• Team: Minnesota Vikings

The record for the most rushing yards in a single game in NFL history is held by Adrian Peterson. On November 4, 2007, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson rushed for an incredible 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers. His record-breaking performance surpassed the previous record set by Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 295 yards in a game in 2003.

Peterson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 7th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He quickly made an impact in the league, earning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his first season. Throughout his career, Peterson showcased exceptional speed, strength, and agility, making him a dominant force on the field.

During his tenure with the Vikings (2007-2016), Peterson established himself as one of the premier running backs in the league. He led the NFL in rushing yards three times (2008, 2012, and 2015) and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2012, becoming the first non-quarterback to win the award in eight years.

• Rushing Yards: 2,105
• Year: 1984
• Team: Los Angeles Rams

The record for the most rushing yards in a single NFL season is held by Eric Dickerson. In 1984, while playing for the Los Angeles Rams, Dickerson rushed for an astonishing 2,105 yards over the course of 16 games. This remarkable feat has stood as the benchmark for rushing excellence in a single season for nearly four decades. His record-breaking season was truly exceptional, and it solidified his status as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.

Dickerson played for the Rams from 1983 to 1987 before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts. He spent four seasons with the Colts (1987-1991) and had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992 before retiring in 1993.

Throughout his career, Dickerson was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and earned First-Team All-Pro honors five times. He finished his career with a total of 13,259 rushing yards, which currently ranks seventh on the all-time list. In 1999, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

• Total Rushing Yards: 18,355
• Team: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
• Years Active: 1990- 2004

Emmitt Smith is one of the greatest running backs to ever grace a football field. He spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1990 to 2002, and also played two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals from 2003 to 2004. Throughout his career, Smith demonstrated exceptional vision, durability, and versatility, making him one of the most dominant running backs of his era.

Emmitt Smith holds several NFL records, including the all-time leading rusher in NFL history with 18,355 career rushing yards. He also holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a career with 164 and led the NFL in rushing yards four times, proving to be a key component of the Cowboys' success in the 1990s, winning three Super Bowls.

In addition to his individual records, Smith was a highly decorated player. He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times, earned First-Team All-Pro honors four times, and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1993. Smith was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats in the sport.