Inside the Numbers Behind Rashaad Penny's Torrid Hot Streak
Continuing to run wild as he heads towards free agency, Rashaad Penny set a new career-high with 170 rushing yards on just 25 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns in the Seahawks dominant 51-29 win over the Lions on Sunday.
Coming off another impressive performance, Penny now has 516 rushing yards in Seattle's past five games, the second-most in the NFL behind only Colts MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor. Per TruMedia, he also has the second-highest yards per carry average among qualified backs (6.53) during that span, trailing only Patriots standout Damien Harris.
"Rashaad ran like crazy again," coach Pete Carroll gushed. "Someone asked me during the week, what does Rashaad Penny have to do to, whatever. He's just got to go play again. That's all we have to do is get him back out there again. He looked great again today. It's a big boost. You can see the rhythm it gives our offense, the balance that gives our offense to be able to be that explosive and he looked great again."
After injuries dogged him during his first three-plus seasons in the NFL, Penny has finally been able to stay healthy and showcase the skills that led to the Seahawks taking him with the No. 27 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Capitalizing on great run blocking in front of him and making tacklers miss regularly, the former San Diego State star has simply been electric since taking over as the starting running back in Week 13, bringing the team much-needed balance on offense.
"He is just running with confidence, you can see the switch that he has had over the past few weeks," tackle Duane Brown said. "I think it is a combination of things, but [Rashaad] Penny has been a force to be reckoned with over the last few weeks. The guys up front, I take pride in my guys, whenever we dial up the run, we want to make it happen, so they continue to do it. To have him go over 100 yards in the first half, there is no better feeling in the world.”
Just how good has Penny been over the past five games? Here's a look at six key numbers behind the talented back's breakthrough second half for Seattle in the photo gallery below:
