Two-Back Attack: Top 10 NFL RB Duos

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 12, 2006

Two-Back Attack: Top 10 NFL RB Duos

Tiki Barber-Brandon Jacobs

The Giants' "Thunder and Lightning" attack with Ron Dayne and Barber never panned out, but the massive Jacobs has been a great addition to the offense. Defenses have to prepare to stop the speedy Barber and don't know what hits them when the 256-pound Jacobs enters the game. Barber is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while Jacobs is at 5.4 yards per attempt.

DeShaun Foster-DeAngelo Williams

Many speculated that Williams would take over the starting job when he rushed for 74 yards on 10 carries in a Week 2 loss to Minnesota, but Foster has bounced back after a slow start and solidified his hold on the top spot. Nevertheless, once Williams gets over a sprained ankle, the Panthers will use the rookie extensively, both as a change-of-pace back and to give the injury-prone Foster more rest.

Thomas Jones-Cedric Benson

While Jones is still the No. 1 guy (he has 388 rushing yards this year), the Bears have gotten second-year pro Benson at least 10 carries in each of the four games he's played in this year. In Chicago's 40-7 win over the Bills, Benson finally looked like the back taken No. 5 overall in last year's draft. He ran for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

Joseph Addai-Dominic Rhodes

Indy hasn't missed Edgerrin James at all, because Rhodes and Addai have provided enough running power to keep the offense rolling. Rhodes has 273 yards rushing and Addai has 269.

Julius Jones-Marion Barber

Jones is fifth in the NFL with 388 yards and has run well enough to get the majority of the playing time, but Barber is still an integral part of this offense. Coach Bill Parcells seems to trust Barber more in the red zone: Witness Barber's three touchdown runs compared with two for Jones.

Warrick Dunn-Jerious Norwood

The Falcons get a lot of help on the ground from quarterback Michael Vick, but their one-two punch in the backfield of Dunn and Norwood is dangerous in its own right. One of the most underrated backs in the NFL for years, Dunn is averaging more than 90 yards a game this season. And Norwood is the home-run threat. The rookie out of Mississippi State had a 78-yard touchdown run against the Cardinals and is averaging 8.3 yards per carry.

Fred Taylor-Maurice Jones-Drew

Taylor ranks third in the AFC with 367 rushing yards, while Jones-Drew is quickly emerging as one of the Jags' top weapons. The rookie out of UCLA had 103 rushing yards against Indy in Week 3 and ran for two touchdowns against the Jets last Sunday. Jones-Drew's ability to spell Taylor is huge, considering the longtime Jag's durability issues.

LaDainian Tomlinson-Michael Turner

Most people don't think of the Chargers as having a two-headed rushing attack. Think again. Turner is averaging 6.8 yards per carry, and the coaching staff is finding ways to get him on the field. Although Tomlinson still gets the majority of the carries, San Diego has started to move LT out to flanker on some plays and put Turner at tailback. Defenses then have to worry about Tomlinson in open space and the powerful Turner up the middle.

Laurence Maroney-Corey Dillon

The duo has the perfect balance of speed (Maroney) and power (Dillon) and has helped New England revitalize its running game. Maroney, a rookie out of Minnesota, is 17th in the NFL with 332 rushing yards, while the veteran Dillon is not far behind with 281 yards.

Reggie Bush-Deuce McAllister

Although Bush gets most of the attention, McAllister has quietly returned to Pro Bowl form after missing most of last season with a knee injury. He was dominant with 123 yards on 15 carries in the win over Tampa Bay last Sunday. And Bush has made a huge impact as well: The No. 2 overall draft pick leads the NFL with 34 receptions and has 170 yards rushing.

Two-Back Attack: Top 10 NFL RB Duos