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The Top 10 Greatest NFL Rushing Performances of All Time

By Erik Lambert

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 6: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs downfield with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 6: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs downfield with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, with Adrian Peterson RB out of Oklahoma chosen seventh by the Minnesota Vikings during the NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY on Saturday, April 28, 2007. (Photo by Richard Schultz/NFLPhotoLibrary)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, with Adrian Peterson RB out of Oklahoma chosen seventh by the Minnesota Vikings during the NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY on Saturday, April 28, 2007. (Photo by Richard Schultz/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

#3: Adrian Peterson vs. San Diego Chargers (2007)

It wasn’t a secret that Adrian Peterson was going to be a great back in the NFL. He’d dominated at Oklahoma and was the 7th pick in the NFL draft. It took him a while to get going in 2007, but when the fuse was lit the explosion was apocalyptic. Peterson announced himself to the world with over 200 yards against the defending NFC champion Bears at Soldier Field, but his finest hour was saved for a few weeks later.

Try to understand this. The Vikings were playing a Chargers team that would play in the AFC championship that year. They’d played the run fairly well most of the year to that point. Then they traveled to Minnesota and were humbled at the feet of a rookie. Peterson ran over, around, and through them for four quarters. By the time the devastation was finally complete, he had 296 rushing yards, an NFL record, and three touchdowns.

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