As one of the oldest franchises in the National Football League (NFL), the Detroit Lions have undoubtedly been through a lot of ups and downs over the years. Despite their struggles, fans continue to flock to Ford Field every Sunday to cheer on their beloved Lions. One of the key elements of any successful football team is a strong rushing game, and the Lions have had their fair share of standout rushers throughout their history. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the top Detroit Lions rushing leaders by game.
1. Barry Sanders
When it comes to Detroit Lions rushers, one name immediately comes to mind: Barry Sanders. Sanders is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, and he spent his entire career with the Lions. In fact, he rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons with the team. One of his most impressive games came in 1991, when he rushed for 220 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite his incredible talent, Sanders was never able to lead the Lions to a Super Bowl victory. However, he remains one of the most beloved players in team history, and his jersey number (20) was retired by the team in 2004.
2. Billy Sims
Billy Sims is another legendary Detroit Lions running back. He played for the team from 1980 to 1984 and was a three-time Pro Bowler. In 1981, he rushed for 2,000 yards, becoming just the second player in NFL history to accomplish that feat. One of his best games came in 1983, when he rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Chicago Bears.
Sims' career was cut short due to injury, but he remains one of the most beloved Lions players of all time. His number 20 jersey was also retired by the team in 1991.
3. James Stewart
James Stewart played for the Lions from 2000 to 2002 and was a key component of the team's rushing attack during that time. In 2000, he rushed for 1,184 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. One of his best games came in a 2001 win over the Minnesota Vikings, when he rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Stewart's career was cut short due to injuries, but his contributions to the Lions' rushing game in the early 2000s should not be overlooked.
4. Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones was a first-round draft pick by the Lions in 2004, and he quickly became one of the team's most reliable rushers. In 2005, he rushed for 1,133 yards and five touchdowns, earning a spot on the NFL All-Rookie team. One of his best games came in a 2004 win over the Dallas Cowboys, when he rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Jones' career was also cut short due to injuries, but he remains a fan favorite in Detroit.
5. Jahvid Best
Jahvid Best was a dynamic running back who played for the Lions from 2010 to 2012. He was especially effective as a receiver out of the backfield, and he had a career-high 58 receptions in 2011. One of his best games came in a 2011 win over the Chicago Bears, when he rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Unfortunately, Best's career was cut short due to concussions, but his talent and potential were evident during his time in Detroit.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions have had plenty of talented rushers throughout their history, and these five players are just a few of the best. While the team has yet to win a Super Bowl, their strong rushing game has been a key factor in many of their victories over the years. As the Lions continue to rebuild and strive for success, fans can look back on the accomplishments of players like Barry Sanders, Billy Sims, James Stewart, Kevin Jones, and Jahvid Best with pride.
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