A quick look at the NFL rushing leaders list reveals that it was Derrick Henry’s race to lose.
The Tennessee Titans running back had 937 yards, 10 touchdowns, and averaged 4.3 yards per carry through eight games.
He is also the only player that averaged over 100 rushing yards per game (117.1).
Henry had five consecutive games of at least 100 yards this season and had three games with three touchdowns each.
The comeback will be major 👑 @KingHenry_2 pic.twitter.com/yimRj5YYth
— Ryan Tannehill (@ryantannehill1) November 3, 2021
Unfortunately, his hopes of defending his Offensive Player of the Year trophy and being the first NFL player to have multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons ended abruptly.
The Alabama alum suffered a potential season-ending foot injury during their game against the Indianapolis Colts.
His injury required surgery that will sideline him until 2022.
With King Henry out of action, another player may unseat him from the throne to become this year’s rushing yards king.
Here are the backfield stars that will likely claim the rushing title.
3. Joe Mixon
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase get all the attention in the Cincinnati Bengals offense.
However, Joe Mixon is a silent worker who has delivered significant contributions to Cincinnati’s 5-3 record.
The 2017 second-round draft pick from Oklahoma primarily benefited from the improved Bengals aerial attack.
While he only has one 100-yard rushing game so far, Mixon has the fourth-most rushing yards with 572 to go with five touchdowns.
Let Joe Mixon eat 🍽 pic.twitter.com/z5qHXIsJom
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 24, 2021
Burrow can depend on him whenever they need to mix up their plays and keep the defense guessing.
Aside from his 127-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings, Mixon had 90 yards versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and 94 over the Detroit Lions.
Mixon can likely pad his stats against the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs.
2. Ezekiel Elliott
Cleveland’s Nick Chubb can be a prime candidate for the rushing title.
But his health and the Browns’ struggles on offense will cause Ezekiel Elliott to pass him on the rushing list.
Vintage Elliott is a delight to watch because he makes Dak Prescott’s job easier.
Instead of forcing the ball to receivers CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper, the Cowboys can keep defenses honest thanks to Elliott’s powerful runs.
All of Ezekiel Elliott's 10+ yard gains through Week 7. Zeke looks outstanding this season, showing off his impressive vision and power in addition to some notable burst as well. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/UZuapLIcsF
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 27, 2021
He is fifth in rushing yards with 571 but has played one fewer game than Mixon due to the Dallas’ bye week.
Elliott is a significant factor in the Cowboys’ resurgence that puts them on a six-game win streak after their opening day loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He averages 4.8 yards per carry and has five touchdowns.
The former All-Pro running back had consecutive 100-yard games versus the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants.
Elliott can rack up more rushing yards during their matches against the Raiders, the Chiefs, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Giants for the second time.
1. Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor is second behind Henry with 649 rushing yards, putting him 288 yards away with nine games left.
What’s fascinating is that he needed just 121 attempts to collect that many yards.
Without him, the team’s 3-5 record could be worse.
The sophomore running back from Wisconsin is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has six touchdowns.
Colts’ Jonathan Taylor is your AFC Offensive Player of the Month. First of his career, won’t be the last.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 4, 2021
Taylor has 100-yard games against the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers.
He’s also on a five-game streak of having at least one rushing touchdown.
Being the closest to Henry makes him the likeliest to take this year’s NFL rushing title.
He will likely have another 1,000-yard season because Indianapolis will face the New York Jets, the Texans, the Raiders, and the Jacksonville Jaguars twice.
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