The Cleveland Browns have started this season 2-1 despite being without their QB1, Deshaun Watson.
One of the main reasons for their success is the running of Nick Chubb.
The former second-round pick continues to be one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL.
Through three games, Chubb has been incredible.
He has 62 rushes for 341 yards and four touchdowns, all of which lead the NFL.
.@NickChubb is a beast. 😤#PITvsCLE on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/uF4okqrMww pic.twitter.com/osSal3klxX— NFL (@NFL) September 23, 2022
He also leads the league in rushing yards per game with 113.7.
Chubb has carried the Browns’ offense so far this year and they will continue to rely on him.
The fifth-year pro has never averaged under 5.0 yards per carry.
Simply put, Chubb is one of the best pure rushers in the NFL.
But, will that result in the rushing title this season?
Despite having over 1,000 yards each of the past three years, Chubb has never led the league in rushing.
After three weeks, he currently has the best odds to bring home his first rushing title.
One reason for the success of Chubb is the offensive line in Cleveland.
The Browns’ offensive line is one of the best units in the NFL and does a great job opening holes in the running game.
Chubb is best running downhill so he has so much success getting the handoff and going.
He is number one in the NFL in breakaway runs with six.
Those are all carries surpassing 15 yards.
Also, Chubb is third in the league in evaded tackles and sixth in juke rate.
Good luck tackling Nick Chubb 💪 pic.twitter.com/WvIdl54PcW
— PFF (@PFF) September 28, 2022
It is rare to see Chubb go down to the first tackler.
He is tied for the lead league in rushing yards after contact with 246.
With a team that runs the ball as much as Cleveland, it would be a surprise if Chubb was not a top-three rusher at year’s end.
The Browns average 38 runs per game which are first in the NFL.
They are probably going to keep that pace at least until Watson returns in Week 12.
Rushing Title Contenders
The toughest competition Chubb will have for the rushing title is Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, or Christian McCaffrey.
All of those running backs are top five in the league in rushing so far this year.
Also, they are the main focal points of their respective offenses.
Barkley leads the group in yards per carry with 6.0.
But, Taylor (61 carries) and Chubb (62 carries) are the two with the most volume.
The one wild card for the rushing title is quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
Jackson is the greatest running quarterback of all time and is off to another amazing start on the ground this season.
He currently has 243 rushing yards and is averaging 9.3 yards per rush.
The former MVP is ranked fifth in the league in rushing and has no ceiling for how far he can go.
No quarterback has ever won the rushing title and it would make sense if Jackson is the first one to do it.
Overall, the NFL is full of elite runners.
But, Chubb has all the pieces in place to bring home his first rushing title in 2022.
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