In recent weeks we have seen some running backs put up huge numbers. Thomas Rawls, Doug Martin and Adrian Peterson all went over 200 rushing yards. And that reminds me that those kind of games tend to come later in the year. It’s far less likely to see that kind of production in September/October.

I’m not sure why this year. It could be due to some teams peaking and getting better, while others become doormat-type teams that are playing out the string, as they saw. A coach maybe loses his team. Or a defense is suddenly hit with a key injury or two.

Weather might be a factor. Certain running backs are more effective in adverse conditions. We saw that last week with C.J. Anderson and Eddie Lacy.

I am also of the belief that offensive lines can need time to jell. I heard Tom Cable say something about this a few years back. I was saying that the blockers and running backs needed to get their timing down. And I recall the Seahawks having a couple of seasons where Marshawn Lynch really clicked in about a third of the way into the season.

Anyway, put me on the record as pointing out that in these remaining five weeks, we will be more likely to see running backs busting loose for 160, 180 yards and more. Maybe Jeremy Hill on Sunday at Cleveland, or Adrian Peterson in adverse weather against the Seahawks.

I threw together a little chart, using data from the 2000-2014 season. It shows the number of running backs with 150-plus rushing yards in each week. There are seven weeks in which there have been only 13-16 of these backs in those 15 seasons. They have occurred in Weeks 1-6 and Week 10. There are eight weeks in which there have been 24-plus of those runnings (50-plus percent more). They have occurred in Weeks 12-17 plus Weeks 7-9. So there’s definitely a trend of later being better with running backs.

The best two weeks have been Week 14 and Week 17, with 32 and 37 such backs – twice as many as in those early weeks.

Thoughts?

150 RUSHING YARDS BY WEEK
WeekNo
Week 114
Week 216
Week 316
Week 415
Week 513
Week 615
Week 7• 26
Week 8• 25
Week 9• 24
Week 1016
Week 1120
Week 12• 26
Week 13• 27
Week 14• • 32
Week 15• 25
Week 16• 25
Week 17• • 37

—Ian Allan