Most Rushing Yards In NFL Openers

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 13, 2010

Most Rushing Yards In NFL Openers

O.J. Simpson: 250 yards, 2 TDs

Some running backs come out of the gate stronger than others, which is why we decided to highlight the greatest rushing performance on opening weekend history. Dating back to 1933, no back has ever turned in a better kickoff-weekend effort than Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson. The Bills former bruiser burned the New England Patriots for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in a brilliant Week 1 showing.

Arian Foster: 231 yards, 3 TDs

Second-year running back Arian Foster set a Houston Texans record - and almost an NFL record - with a 231-yard field day against a suspect Indianapolis Colts defense. Houston repeatedly fed Foster (33 carries), leading to huge chunks of yardage, three touchdowns on the ground and a Week 1 victory.

Michael Turner: 220 yards, 2 TDs

Michael Turner rushed the ball just 22 times -- a minimal amount in comparison to the load the rest of the list carried - yet gained 220 yards, an average of 10 yards per carry. Along with two touchdowns, 'Burner Turner' helped the Falcons down the Lions and would go on to accumulate 1,699 rushing yards during the 2008 season.

Eddie George: 216 yards, TD

One of the NFL's most durable backs in history, Eddie George torched the Raiders in the first game of his second season in the league. The Oilers continued to feed and feed George all afternoon, and the former Buckeye continued to produce one carry after another. At day's end, George finished with 35 carries for 216 yards and a TD.

George Rogers: 206 yards, 2 TDs

A dominant college player at South Carolina and the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner, George Rogers turned in one of his best performances in the pros during Week 1 of the 1983 season. The Saints back ran 24 times for 206 yards and a touchdown and would go on to finish 10th in the NFL that season in rushing yards.

Gerald Riggs: 202 yards, 2 TDs

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Gerald Riggs had the best game of his career the year before registering his best season. In a Week 1 conference showdown versus the Saints, Riggs fired on all cylinders, rushing 35 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

Duce Staley: 201 yards, TD

Now back with the Philadelphia Eagles as a coaching intern, Duce Staley opened the 2000 season for the Eagles in dominant fashion. With Donovan McNabb handing him the ball and a stout offensive line in front, Staley ran all over the Cowboys, netting 201 yards on 26 carries.

Norm Bulaich: 198 yards, TD

Before Edgerrin James broke his record in 2000, Norm Bulaich held the Colts' franchise record for most rushing yards in a single game -- his 198-yard spectacular in Week 1 of the 1971 season. His huge effort the first week of the season helped propel him to the Pro Bowl that year, the only appearance of his career.

Curtis Martin: 196 yards, TD

In a renaissance season, Curtis Martin led the NFL in rushing yards with 2004. His biggest game of the year came in Week 1, when he shredded the Bengals' defense and rushed 29 times for 196 yards and a score. Martin, who played for the Jets and Patriots over an 11-year career, made his fourth and final Pro Bowl team in '04.

Alan Ameche: 194 yards, TD

Nicknamed "The Horse," Ameche played six seasons for the Baltimore Colts after being named the Heisman Trophy winner at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1954. Although he's best known for scoring the game-winning touchdown in the 1958 Super Bowl, Ameche also had one of the best Week 1 performances in NFL history: a 21-carry, 194-yard outburst against the Bears.

Ottis Anderson: 193 yards, TD

In his first game as an NFL pro, Ottis Anderson racked up 193 yards on 21 carries against the Dallas Cowboys. Anderson would go on to be named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year that season and would later win two Super Bowls in his career, including the 1991 title with the Giants when he was named the game's MVP.

Eric Dickerson: 193 yards, 2 TDs

Two years after rushing for an NFL-record 2,105 yards in a single season with the Rams, Dickerson exploded for 193 yards against the Cardinals in the first game of the 1986 season. Dickerson rushed a career-high 404 times in '86 for 1,821 yards and 11 touchdowns.