billsfan714 Posted Wednesday at 09:47 PM Posted Wednesday at 09:47 PM As someone who did see it, it's OJ and people are right its not even close. He averaged 143.1 yards a game. Jim Brown is 2nd at 133.1 per game. OJ averaged 10 yards more than 2nd place. 2nd place down through 13th place are separated by less than 8 yards. I almost roll my eyes when someone now is a 1,000 yard receiver or rusher, in 17 games its not the milestone it was in a 14 game season. Quote
folz Posted Wednesday at 09:54 PM Posted Wednesday at 09:54 PM Easy answer: O.J. What he did was historic and has yet to be matched to this day. The entire country was watching him gun for 2,000 yards. He was the first to do it...and in 14 games. His yards per game season average in '73 may never be topped. We've talked about how Saquon and King Henry were having historic years this season (and they were both phenomenal, no doubt)...but, on the yards/game for a season all-time list, their seasons rank 14th and 27th respectively. O.J. is obviously #1, by a good margin. No one has matched what he did that year. 1 O.J. Simpson+ (26) 143.1 1973 BUF 2 Jim Brown+ (27) 133.1 1963 CLE 3 Walter Payton+ (24) 132.3 1977 CHI 4 Eric Dickerson+ (24) 131.6 1984 RAM 5 Adrian Peterson (27) 131.1 2012 MIN 6 O.J. Simpson+ (28) 129.8 1975 BUF 7 Jamal Lewis (24) 129.1 2003 BAL 8 Earl Campbell+ (25) 128.9 1980 HOU 9 Barry Sanders+ (29) 128.3 1997 DET 10 Jim Brown+ (22) 127.3 1958 CLE 11 Derrick Henry (26) 126.7 2020 TEN 12 Terrell Davis+ (25) 125.5 1998 DEN 13 Chris Johnson (23) 125.4 2009 TEN 14 Saquon Barkley (27) 125.3 2024 PHI 15 Clinton Portis (22) 122.4 2003 DEN 16 Ahman Green (26) 117.7 2003 GNB Barry Sanders+ (26) 117.7 1994 DET 18 Shaun Alexander (28) 117.5 2005 SEA 19 Terrell Davis+ (24) 116.7 1997 DEN 20 Tiki Barber (30) 116.3 2005 NYG 21 Ricky Williams (25) 115.8 2002 MIA 22 Jamal Anderson (25) 115.4 1998 ATL Priest Holmes (28) 115.4 2002 KAN 24 DeMarco Murray (26) 115.3 2014 DAL 25 Eric Dickerson+ (26) 113.8 1986 RAM 26 L. Tomlinson+ (27) 113.4 2006 SDG 27 Eric Dickerson+ (23) 113.0 1983 RAM Derrick Henry (30) 113.0 2024 BAL 29 Eric Dickerson+ (27) 112.3 1987 IND 30 Larry Johnson (26) 111.8 2006 KAN And as much as I love Josh, and I'm so glad he finally got his very well-deserved MVP, I might actually put Thurman 2nd on the list. Led the league in yards from scrimmage and kind of established the all-purpose back who could line up anywhere in a fast-paced offense (leading the way for the Marshall Faulks and LaDanian Tomlinsons of the world, etc.). Was MVP, 1st-team All Pro, Pro Bowl 1st team, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and led his team to 13 wins and their 2nd Super Bowl (despite the SB outcome). I think people sometimes forget that Thurm led the league in yards from scrimmage 4 consecutive years. No one else has ever done that. No one else has done it even 3 times in a row. And only 6 other guys have done it two years in a row. The only players to lead the league in yards from scrimmage more than twice in their entire careers are: Jim Brown (3X), O.J. (3X), Eric Dickerson (4X), and Thurman Thomas (4X). What Josh has done and did this year is amazing, it is just a bit less historic, imo, than the other two---simply because there are a couple of other guys doing similar things (Jackson/Mahomes/burrow) at the same time. For instance, where Josh has been very historic is in his total touchdown production, yet this season 3 guys had more TDs than him. Doesn't take anything away from what Josh is doing, just makes his MVP season feel a bit less historic. He's not the only one in the league at the time of their MVP doing something that no one else is really doing. Of course, no other QBs are trucking defenders like Josh (he is a unicorn), but you know what I mean. 1 1 Quote
BillsPride12 Posted Wednesday at 10:14 PM Posted Wednesday at 10:14 PM Was before my time but it's gotta be the OJ season Quote
hondo in seattle Posted Wednesday at 10:23 PM Posted Wednesday at 10:23 PM It was a different era when OJ played: the best athletes became RBs, Heisman trophy winners and first round draft picks were RBs more than QBs, rules didn't protect QBs and favor the passing game like today, and defenses were built to stop the run. And OJ shined like no other. When he rushed for 2003 yards, the next best guy in that heavenly year of the Golden Age of Running Backs gained 1144 yards. OJ nearly doubled the next best guy at what was then the most important position in football. It was freaking superhuman, barely believable. Off the top of my head, the only comparable achievement in all of American professional sports was in 1920, when Babe Ruth hit 54 home runs and the next best guy hit 19. 2 Quote
Ga boy Posted Wednesday at 10:24 PM Posted Wednesday at 10:24 PM 1 hour ago, sven233 said: Wasn't arought to see OJ's season live, but I have seen highlights and plenty of commentary on that season. I did see Thurman's season live and I have watched those games from that season several times since. And, of course, Allen just did what he did. It's a tough question because we're talking about 3 different eras with different rules, etc. For me, it's going to be OJ, though, because he did something that I don't think we will ever see it done again. 2000 yards in 14 games. That is just incredible and although guys have rushed for 2000 since, they haven't done it in anywhere close to 14 games. So, to me, that's the true rushing record in the NFL. Thurman was awesome and I believe he is one of the best all around backs ever to play in the NFL. He not only did what he did, but he changed the game in a lot of ways. I don't think there are guys like LT, Faulk, etc. without him laying the groundwork for backs to become true dual threat options. And then there's Allen. He was awesome this season. Absolutely deserving of the MVP and, for my money, he's the best player in the world right now. I am certainly not trying to diminish what he did, but the fact is, I could argue that this could have been his 3rd MVP instead of his first. He's had multiple seasons deserving of the award and he's been robbed in the past if you ask me. And the kicker.......I still don't believe we have seen his best football. So, with that in mind, I believe he will win it again with an even better season ahead. So, it's OJ for now......but I expect Allen to take this spot sooner rather than later. Yes JA17 will get better. I think his pre-snap cognition will be similar to the GOAT soon. Quote
SoonerBillsFan Posted Wednesday at 10:38 PM Posted Wednesday at 10:38 PM 2 hours ago, Shaw66 said: Allen is most valuable, for sure. He plays the most important position, and he plays it almost as well as anyone ever has. But the OP asked two questions - one in the title and one in the poll. If the question is most impressive, it's OJ. His season was completely unprecedented, almost unimaginable. Compared to seasons that other QBs have had, Allen's was very good but not outstanding. Agreed sir, OJ hands down. 45 minutes ago, folz said: Easy answer: O.J. What he did was historic and has yet to be matched to this day. The entire country was watching him gun for 2,000 yards. He was the first to do it...and in 14 games. His yards per game season average in '73 may never be topped. We've talked about how Saquon and King Henry were having historic years this season (and they were both phenomenal, no doubt)...but, on the yards/game for a season all-time list, their seasons rank 14th and 27th respectively. O.J. is obviously #1, by a good margin. No one has matched what he did that year. 1 O.J. Simpson+ (26) 143.1 1973 BUF 2 Jim Brown+ (27) 133.1 1963 CLE 3 Walter Payton+ (24) 132.3 1977 CHI 4 Eric Dickerson+ (24) 131.6 1984 RAM 5 Adrian Peterson (27) 131.1 2012 MIN 6 O.J. Simpson+ (28) 129.8 1975 BUF 7 Jamal Lewis (24) 129.1 2003 BAL 8 Earl Campbell+ (25) 128.9 1980 HOU 9 Barry Sanders+ (29) 128.3 1997 DET 10 Jim Brown+ (22) 127.3 1958 CLE 11 Derrick Henry (26) 126.7 2020 TEN 12 Terrell Davis+ (25) 125.5 1998 DEN 13 Chris Johnson (23) 125.4 2009 TEN 14 Saquon Barkley (27) 125.3 2024 PHI 15 Clinton Portis (22) 122.4 2003 DEN 16 Ahman Green (26) 117.7 2003 GNB Barry Sanders+ (26) 117.7 1994 DET 18 Shaun Alexander (28) 117.5 2005 SEA 19 Terrell Davis+ (24) 116.7 1997 DEN 20 Tiki Barber (30) 116.3 2005 NYG 21 Ricky Williams (25) 115.8 2002 MIA 22 Jamal Anderson (25) 115.4 1998 ATL Priest Holmes (28) 115.4 2002 KAN 24 DeMarco Murray (26) 115.3 2014 DAL 25 Eric Dickerson+ (26) 113.8 1986 RAM 26 L. Tomlinson+ (27) 113.4 2006 SDG 27 Eric Dickerson+ (23) 113.0 1983 RAM Derrick Henry (30) 113.0 2024 BAL 29 Eric Dickerson+ (27) 112.3 1987 IND 30 Larry Johnson (26) 111.8 2006 KAN And as much as I love Josh, and I'm so glad he finally got his very well-deserved MVP, I might actually put Thurman 2nd on the list. Led the league in yards from scrimmage and kind of established the all-purpose back who could line up anywhere in a fast-paced offense (leading the way for the Marshall Faulks and LaDanian Tomlinsons of the world, etc.). Was MVP, 1st-team All Pro, Pro Bowl 1st team, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and led his team to 13 wins and their 2nd Super Bowl (despite the SB outcome). I think people sometimes forget that Thurm led the league in yards from scrimmage 4 consecutive years. No one else has ever done that. No one else has done it even 3 times in a row. And only 6 other guys have done it two years in a row. The only players to lead the league in yards from scrimmage more than twice in their entire careers are: Jim Brown (3X), O.J. (3X), Eric Dickerson (4X), and Thurman Thomas (4X). What Josh has done and did this year is amazing, it is just a bit less historic, imo, than the other two---simply because there are a couple of other guys doing similar things (Jackson/Mahomes/burrow) at the same time. For instance, where Josh has been very historic is in his total touchdown production, yet this season 3 guys had more TDs than him. Doesn't take anything away from what Josh is doing, just makes his MVP season feel a bit less historic. He's not the only one in the league at the time of their MVP doing something that no one else is really doing. Of course, no other QBs are trucking defenders like Josh (he is a unicorn), but you know what I mean. Man the Names on that List bring back some good memories. 2 Quote
Brand J Posted Wednesday at 11:50 PM Posted Wednesday at 11:50 PM Wasn’t even Josh’s best season statistically and we relied heavily on the run game. It’s gotta go to OJ. Quote
Special K Posted Wednesday at 11:56 PM Author Posted Wednesday at 11:56 PM (edited) I'd bet if you "time-machined" 1973 OJ to 2025, he would still be an All-Pro RB in the present day......probably can't say that about too many players from 1973. Just don't let him look himself up on the internet!!😮 Edited yesterday at 12:02 AM by Special K 1 Quote
ControllerOfPlanetX Posted yesterday at 12:00 AM Posted yesterday at 12:00 AM Considering they had no passing game with a rookie QB and every defense he faced was concentrating on stopping him.. hands down..OJ. 2 Quote
MJS Posted yesterday at 12:03 AM Posted yesterday at 12:03 AM 1 hour ago, hondo in seattle said: It was a different era when OJ played: the best athletes became RBs, Heisman trophy winners and first round draft picks were RBs more than QBs, rules didn't protect QBs and favor the passing game like today, and defenses were built to stop the run. And OJ shined like no other. When he rushed for 2003 yards, the next best guy in that heavenly year of the Golden Age of Running Backs gained 1144 yards. OJ nearly doubled the next best guy at what was then the most important position in football. It was freaking superhuman, barely believable. Off the top of my head, the only comparable achievement in all of American professional sports was in 1920, when Babe Ruth hit 54 home runs and the next best guy hit 19. And his 1975 season was even better. 2,243 scrimmage yards and 23 total TDs. It could be the greatest season ever by any player regardless of position. 4 4 Quote
The Jokeman Posted yesterday at 12:06 AM Posted yesterday at 12:06 AM I didn't see it as I was born in 1977 but OJ Simpsons season is easily one of the best in NFL history. Yet if watch the highlights he had size, speed and an ability to stop and start without missing a beat. It's easy to see when he probably amongst the 5 best RBs of all time. His 1975 season might have been better all wish his additional receiving yards/TDs. Quote
LABILLBACKER Posted yesterday at 12:30 AM Posted yesterday at 12:30 AM 3 hours ago, Gregg said: He turned out to be a POS but that doesn't take away from what he accomplished on the field. Yeah it kinda does....he's dead to me both figuratively and literally. Quote
fan_in_tx Posted yesterday at 12:52 AM Posted yesterday at 12:52 AM Craziest stat of the OJ 73 Season? Buffalo only had 2 games for which they passed for over 100 yards. That shows you how dominate OJ was or how weak our passing offense was. 1 1 Quote
K-9 Posted yesterday at 01:06 AM Posted yesterday at 01:06 AM 5 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said: IMO, Josh. And I'm a big Thurman fan. But QB is the hardest position to play, and to put up those numbers while having to do all the QB stuff as well, makes it the most impressive. My counter to that would be that in ‘73, OJ was the entire offense with a rookie Joe Ferguson at the helm and virtually handcuffed by Lou Saban as he attempted just 164 passes the entire season as the starting QB in every game that year. OJ had more than twice as many carries than Fergy had pass attempts. Every D in the league had a simple game plan: stop OJ. Quote
K-9 Posted yesterday at 01:14 AM Posted yesterday at 01:14 AM 1 hour ago, Special K said: I'd bet if you "time-machined" 1973 OJ to 2025, he would still be an All-Pro RB in the present day......probably can't say that about too many players from 1973. Just don't let him look himself up on the internet!!😮 He’s one of the few who would still excel in today’s league. He was a world class sprinter as part of a world record 4x100 relay team at USC and was once hand timed in the 4.2s at training camp up at Niagara University back in the day. That speed transcends eras as would his strength and elusiveness. One for the ages was OJ. Quote
hondo in seattle Posted yesterday at 01:21 AM Posted yesterday at 01:21 AM 1 hour ago, The Jokeman said: I didn't see it as I was born in 1977 but OJ Simpsons season is easily one of the best in NFL history. Yet if watch the highlights he had size, speed and an ability to stop and start without missing a beat. It's easy to see when he probably amongst the 5 best RBs of all time. His 1975 season might have been better all wish his additional receiving yards/TDs. Not amongst the 5 best. He's among the top two. I love good RBs and have been watching them with awe for decades. And I've seen most of the contenders play: Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmit Smith, Bo Jackson, Eric Dickerson, and so on. OJ was, IMHO, clearly better than any of them. The only guy who competes in my eyes is Jim Brown who I've only seen in highlights but those highlights, along with his statistical dominance, are impressive. Jim Brown and OJ would average 8 yards a carry against today's coverage LBs and pass-first defenses. My dream Bills backfield: Josh at QB, OJ at HB, Cookie at FB. And then let's have Eric Moulds and Andre Reed at wideout. We'd be unstoppable. 1 Quote
Chicken Boo Posted yesterday at 01:21 AM Posted yesterday at 01:21 AM 5 hours ago, Process said: From a pure stats perspective it's clearly OJ. 2000 in 14 games will never be done again. It will be at some point, but we may not be alive to see it. The answer is definitely OJ. It projects to 2400 yards in a 17 game season. Quote
PonyBoy Posted yesterday at 02:00 AM Posted yesterday at 02:00 AM 3 hours ago, folz said: Easy answer: O.J. What he did was historic and has yet to be matched to this day. The entire country was watching him gun for 2,000 yards. He was the first to do it...and in 14 games. His yards per game season average in '73 may never be topped. We've talked about how Saquon and King Henry were having historic years this season (and they were both phenomenal, no doubt)...but, on the yards/game for a season all-time list, their seasons rank 14th and 27th respectively. O.J. is obviously #1, by a good margin. No one has matched what he did that year. 1 O.J. Simpson+ (26) 143.1 1973 BUF 2 Jim Brown+ (27) 133.1 1963 CLE 3 Walter Payton+ (24) 132.3 1977 CHI 4 Eric Dickerson+ (24) 131.6 1984 RAM 5 Adrian Peterson (27) 131.1 2012 MIN 6 O.J. Simpson+ (28) 129.8 1975 BUF 7 Jamal Lewis (24) 129.1 2003 BAL 8 Earl Campbell+ (25) 128.9 1980 HOU 9 Barry Sanders+ (29) 128.3 1997 DET 10 Jim Brown+ (22) 127.3 1958 CLE 11 Derrick Henry (26) 126.7 2020 TEN 12 Terrell Davis+ (25) 125.5 1998 DEN 13 Chris Johnson (23) 125.4 2009 TEN 14 Saquon Barkley (27) 125.3 2024 PHI 15 Clinton Portis (22) 122.4 2003 DEN 16 Ahman Green (26) 117.7 2003 GNB Barry Sanders+ (26) 117.7 1994 DET 18 Shaun Alexander (28) 117.5 2005 SEA 19 Terrell Davis+ (24) 116.7 1997 DEN 20 Tiki Barber (30) 116.3 2005 NYG 21 Ricky Williams (25) 115.8 2002 MIA 22 Jamal Anderson (25) 115.4 1998 ATL Priest Holmes (28) 115.4 2002 KAN 24 DeMarco Murray (26) 115.3 2014 DAL 25 Eric Dickerson+ (26) 113.8 1986 RAM 26 L. Tomlinson+ (27) 113.4 2006 SDG 27 Eric Dickerson+ (23) 113.0 1983 RAM Derrick Henry (30) 113.0 2024 BAL 29 Eric Dickerson+ (27) 112.3 1987 IND 30 Larry Johnson (26) 111.8 2006 KAN And as much as I love Josh, and I'm so glad he finally got his very well-deserved MVP, I might actually put Thurman 2nd on the list. Led the league in yards from scrimmage and kind of established the all-purpose back who could line up anywhere in a fast-paced offense (leading the way for the Marshall Faulks and LaDanian Tomlinsons of the world, etc.). Was MVP, 1st-team All Pro, Pro Bowl 1st team, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and led his team to 13 wins and their 2nd Super Bowl (despite the SB outcome). I think people sometimes forget that Thurm led the league in yards from scrimmage 4 consecutive years. No one else has ever done that. No one else has done it even 3 times in a row. And only 6 other guys have done it two years in a row. The only players to lead the league in yards from scrimmage more than twice in their entire careers are: Jim Brown (3X), O.J. (3X), Eric Dickerson (4X), and Thurman Thomas (4X). What Josh has done and did this year is amazing, it is just a bit less historic, imo, than the other two---simply because there are a couple of other guys doing similar things (Jackson/Mahomes/burrow) at the same time. For instance, where Josh has been very historic is in his total touchdown production, yet this season 3 guys had more TDs than him. Doesn't take anything away from what Josh is doing, just makes his MVP season feel a bit less historic. He's not the only one in the league at the time of their MVP doing something that no one else is really doing. Of course, no other QBs are trucking defenders like Josh (he is a unicorn), but you know what I mean. I like your post, but you have to include Roger Craig. He established the all purpose back. 1st RB to have 1000/1000. Thurman's 4X yards from scrimmage is unprecedented & why he is in the HOF deservedly so! 1 Quote
ChrisWatson#21 Posted yesterday at 02:32 AM Posted yesterday at 02:32 AM Thurman played 15 games as the Bills had the #1 seed locked up. Quote
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