The last running back to win the Super Bowl after finishing in the top six in the league in rushing yards was Marshall Faulk in 1999. High rushing totals no longer equate to winning football. The last four backs to win the rushing title — Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster, Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson — have no Super Bowl appearances and a combined three career postseason victories.
But two running backs have a chance to break the trend. The Ravens’ Ray Rice was second in the league with 1,364 rushing yards this season, and the 49ers’ Frank Gore was sixth with 1,211 yards.
Much like Faulk with the “Greatest Show on Turf,” Rice is utilized as a do-everything back. Along with being the Ravens’ leading rusher, Rice led the team with 76 receptions for 704 yards.
Gore isn’t involved as much in the passing game and is more of a power runner, who is also capable of breaking big runs. Gore was third in the NFL with 11 rushes over 20 yards this season.
Both will be essential to their teams’ success this weekend. When Rice or Gore have more than 20 carries in a game this season, their teams are a combined 13-0, including the playoffs.
It’s a quarterback-driven league, but a Super Bowl victory by one of these talented running backs would prove the importance of the ground game once again.
– Jeffrey Tomik
