NFL: Top Running Backs in the Playoffs
1. Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams): Todd Gurley finished third in rushing after not playing the final two games of the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, in order to get healthy for the postseason. He has 1,251 rushing yards to this point, to go along with 17 touchdowns on 256 carries. There aren't a lot of players in the league who are as dynamic as him out of the backfield, and he's continued to prove that, a year after being named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Gurley helped lead his team to a 13-3 record and a NFC West title, while also finishing in second in the conference. The Rams will get a bye and then will face either the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, or Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. No matter the opponent, Gurley is going to be a focal point.
2. Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys): Elliott led the league in rushing, running for 1,434 yards on 304 attempts for a 4.7 average yards per carry. He averaged 95.6 yards per game and found the end zone six times. It's obvious that Elliott is a workhorse and when he surpasses 100+ yards, the Cowboys are nearly unbeatable. That's going to be something to keep an eye on in the Cowboys versus Seahawks game. However, the reason Elliott is ranked a spot higher despite being the NFL leading rusher, is because he has a habit of putting the ball on the ground. He has six fumbles this year, while guys like Gurley, Chris Carson, and Jordan Howard have five combined. If Elliott can protect the ball against Seattle then Dallas has a really good shot at moving on, but that's not always a guarantee with him.
3. Chris Carson (Seattle Seahawks): Chris Carson, out of Oklahoma State, finished the season fifth in rushing yards with 1,151 yards on 247 carries. He has ran for 90+ yards in each of his last four games and is one of the hottest backs in the league, as he went for 119, 116, and 122 yards in his last three games against the 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cardinals, respectively. Carson can bounce the ball to the outside better than most running backs so when the middle of the field is clogged up, he still can impact the game positively. It's something that a lot of players struggle with so it could go a long way in helping the Seahawks make a run in the playoffs. He'll face the team (and the player just above him) with a chance to move on and play either the Los Angeles Rams or New Orleans Saints.
Next Up:
4. Jordan Howard (Bears)
5. Alvin Kamara (Saints)
6. Lamar Miller (Texans)
7. Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
8. Sony Michel (Patriots)
9. Marlon Mack (Colts)
10. Josh Adams (Eagles)
11. Gus Edwards (Ravens)
12. Damien Williams (Chiefs)
Photo Credit: Sporting News.
