There is something so fun about rushing duos. Watching pairs light it up on the ground takes me back to my days with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when Fred Taylor and I carved up defenses on a weekly basis.
I could get into so many memories and historic moments, but don't worry: I'll put the yearbook away. Instead, let's bring it back to the present day and look at some of the hottest rushing duos -- with quarterbacks included -- in the NFL through five weeks of the 2024 regular season. Here are my top five tandems.
The Ravens have fielded a top-three rushing operation in every season since Lamar Jackson was drafted in 2018, finishing No. 1 in the NFL three times (2019, 2020 and 2023). Through five games this season, Baltimore again holds that honor as the only team rushing for more than 200 yards per contest. Jackson and his new backfield mate, King Henry, are the perfect lightning-and-thunder combination. The two-time MVP keeps defenses on their heels with his quickness and speed and is an ankle-breaker in the open field. While Jackson runs around defenders, Henry, a two-time league rushing champion, runs through them. The 247-pound freight train has forced 30 missed tackles on runs this season and racked up 29 first downs, both second-most in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Both Henry and Jackson rank in the top 10 in rushing yards this season; the running back leads the league with 572, while the quarterback ranks eighth with 363.
Baltimore has rushed for at least 100 yards in 38 straight games, tied for the third-longest streak all time. The 2018-2021 Ravens and 1974-77 Steelers share the record at 43 games. If these Ravens keep the streak going, they will tie the record against the Bengals in Week 10 and break it Week 11 against ... you guessed it, the Steelers.
The only RB pairing on this list, Gibbs and Montgomery comprise quite a 1-2 punch in the Motor City. Since the start of last season, they have combined for 30 touchdown runs and have both rushed for at least one TD in six different games. The Lions have also logged at least three rush TDs in a game five times -- most in the NFL -- in that span. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson utilizes each player's skill set so well: Montgomery hammers through the first level of the defense with his contact balance and leg drive on early downs, while Gibbs uses his speed inside and outside the tackles to get into space, where he does most of his damage. The Lions feature the sixth-best rushing attack entering Week 6, but if we're being honest, these two have yet to really get going.
The Eagles featured a top-10 rushing attack last season with Hurts and D'Andre Swift. They leveled up this offseason by signing Barkley, who has been nothing short of spectacular (other than that dropped catch in Week 2). Right now, Philadelphia ranks fifth in rushing, thanks to Barkley averaging nearly 110 yards per game. He ranks third in total rushing yards this season with 435, despite having his bye week in Week 5. Part of the reason for his success is the boost he's getting from the Eagles' O-line. According to Next Gen Stats, Barkley has recorded career highs in yards before contact per carry (2.6) and rushing yards over expected per carry (2.2) in his first season in Philly. And thanks to the Eagles having a number of weapons in the pass game, Barkley has faced light boxes at career-high rate (49.3%), while also generating a career-high 46.6 percent rushing success rate across all carries.
Hurts is averaging 40.8 rush yards per game. On 14 designed runs, the quarterback has gained 39 yards and earned three first downs, per NGS. On 14 scrambles, he's compiled 117 yards and five first downs. Hurts is generally effective as a runner, but we all know he is most valuable in short-yardage situations and at the goal line, thanks to the Brotherly Shove.
Like Jackson and Henry in Baltimore, Daniels and Robinson make up a devastating lightning-and-thunder duo, with the young quarterback shiftily weaving his way through open space and the 6-foot-1, 228-pound back punishing defenders when running between the tackles and at the second level. Thanks to this pair, along with contributions from Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, the Commanders boast the league's second-best rushing offense (178.4 yards per game) and have scored the most rushing touchdowns (13, four more than any other team) through five weeks. Daniels and Robinson have combined for nine of those scores. This team has rushed for more than 200 yards in three games, though Washington faces its biggest test yet this Sunday at Baltimore, which boasts the league's best run defense (60.4 yards per game).
Daniels has been the key to this entire operation. We knew the reigning Heisman Trophy winner had that dual-threat ability coming into the league, but I don't think anyone expected to see him absolutely torching defenses with his arm (ranking top five in several throwing categories) and legs this early in his career. Daniels is simply electric, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury knows it. The rookie has executed the third-most designed runs (20) among quarterbacks this season, behind only Jackson (30) and Pittsburgh's Justin Fields (22), per Next Gen Stats. He has been OK on those plays, but he's most efficient in scramble situations, amassing a league-high 244 yards and a touchdown on 32 attempts (7.6 yards per carry). That ability to evade pressure in the pocket and pick up big gains on the ground is what has taken this rushing attack to the next level. Daniels' 300 rushing yards is the most by a quarterback in his first five games since 1950 -- breaking the record set by former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III (241) in 2012.
There might be other tandems doing better statistically this season (SEE: Arizona's Kyler Murray and James Conner), but it's hard to pick against this Bills pair. Cook looks good in the early goings, already setting a new career high with four rushing touchdowns on the season. With Buffalo's passing attack taking a step back without a true No. 1 receiver on the roster, the offense has appeared to run through Cook and the ground game. Cook, a steady chain-mover and reliable presence in the red zone, is coming off a 20-carry performance against Houston, and it's likely he's just getting going.
Somewhat surprisingly, offensive coordinator Joe Brady hasn't asked Allen to really take over as he's done so many times in the past, so the quarterback's run production isn't off the charts. However, he is still one of the best rushers in the NFL when he takes off out of the pocket. That 6-5, 237-pound frame makes Allen a force in the open field, and his speed allows him to evade pressure and get to the second and third levels quickly after he decides to hit the ground running. We know Allen, who boasts a league-high 2,644 yards on scrambles since entering the league in 2018, per Next Gen Stats, has the capability to take over any game. It's only a matter of time before the dynamic playmaker starts making moves with his legs, and that's when the Bills will go from 14th in rushing to well into the top 10.
Top 15 running backs
Former NFL rushing leader and current NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew will survey all running backs and rank his top 15 each week of the 2024 season. His rankings are based on this season's efforts. Here is MJD's list heading into Week 6, with up/down arrows reflecting movement from last week's pecking order.
2024 stats: 5 games | 95 att | 572 rush yds | 6.0 ypc | 6 rush TDs | 6 rec | 49 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Henry was relatively quiet against the Bengals with 30 rush yards in regulation -- though he did score a touchdown to open the scoring. But thanks to some magic from Lamar Jackson and big stops from Baltimore's defense, the King was eventually able to shine as one of the Ravens' heroes. After Cincinnati missed a field goal in overtime, Henry took the next snap 51 yards to set up the game-winning boot by Justin Tucker. It wasn't the only big moment for Henry, as the four-time Pro Bowler became 32nd player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career rush yards. He'll keep climbing the all-time ranks; the 30-year-old back still looks spry.
2024 stats: 5 games | 105 att | 536 rush yds | 5.1 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 7 rec | 66 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 1 fumble lost
The 49ers played well enough to win Sunday, but a pair of Brock Purdy INTs and the injury to kicker Jake Moody put them in a bit of a bind late. Mason again was a steady presence for Kyle Shanahan's unit through most of the game, rushing for 89 yards on 14 carries for a stellar 6.4 yards a pop. That effort put him to 536 yards for the season, the most rush yards by a 49ers player through five games of a season in franchise history -- that's 26 more than Christian McCaffrey's mark in 2023, when he won Offensive Player of the Year. Of course, Mason's fourth-quarter fumble proved extremely costly in the loss. The young back was fighting for extra yards, but sometimes you just have to live for another play. He'll learn.
2024 stats: 4 games | 73 att | 435 rush yds | 6.0 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 12 rec | 85 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Barkley has enjoyed a fine first month with the Eagles, and he'll be rewarded out of the bye with a matchup against the Browns. Cleveland ranks 25th against the run after a terrible outing against Jayden Daniels, Brian Robinson and Co., who rushed for an impressive 215 yards in Week 5. Could another 100-yard game be on tap for Barkley? It certainly wouldn't surprise me.
2024 stats: 5 games | 91 att | 388 rush yds | 4.3 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 23 rec | 214 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Kamara was held in check by the Chiefs defense and limited to 2.4 yards per carry and 66 scrimmage yards -- being far outdone by fellow 2017 draftee Kareem Hunt. Prior to Monday night's game, Kamara averaged an NFL-best 134 scrimmage yards per game through four weeks, which is a big reason he stands pat after one down outing. The Saints only generated 46 yards on the ground, which will rarely result in a victory. They know that won't cut it in this week's divisional matchup with the Bucs.
2024 stats: 5 games | 70 att | 309 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 11 rec | 123 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
The Bills were outplayed for much of Sunday's game -- converting just three of 14 third-down plays and gaining nearly 150 fewer yards than Houston -- but were in it until the very end due to Texans miscues. No Bills player had more than two catches in the game, with Cook being far and away Buffalo's most consistent offensive threat. He finished with 82 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run, on 20 carries (4.1 yards per attempt) and 17 yards on two catches. The Bills need more from their offense to stop this two-game skid, and it won't be easy to get back on track Monday night, when they face a stingy Jets defense on the road in prime time.
2024 stats: 4 games | 72 att | 349 rush yds | 4.8 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 6 rec | 77 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Taylor missed Sunday's game with an ankle injury, and Indianapolis suffered the consequences. The Colts didn't have much of a run game without him and Anthony Richardson (oblique) on the field, rushing for just 99 total yards in the loss. I mean, the best thing to come out of Indy's ground game on the day was Joe Flacco's 21-yard scramble, his longest run since 2017. Taylor is essential to the Colts' offensive success, regardless of who is under center. They need him healthy.
2024 stats: 4 games | 54 att | 285 rush yds | 5.3 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 11 rec | 76 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost
Coming off the bye week, Gibbs and Co. face a Cowboys defense that has been stingy against the run in the last two weeks, allowing 92 yards on the ground to the Steelers in Week 5 and just 26 yards to the Giants in Week 4. In Gibbs' first career game against Dallas, a 20-19 Detroit loss in Week 17 of last season, the back had just 43 yards on 15 carries. He'll want to be a bigger factor in this one, and having fresh legs will certainly help.
2024 stats: 5 games | 67 att | 285 rush yds | 4.3 ypc | 1 rush TD | 18 rec | 151 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Last week's Thursday Night Football clash between Atlanta and Tampa Bay was all about the quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins threw for a franchise-record 509 yards on the night Matt Ryan was inducted into the Falcons' Ring of Honor, while Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes and flirted with a perfect passer rating. That doesn't mean Bijan didn't do his part. He was efficient when running the football, with 61 yards on 12 carries (5.1 yards per attempt). He also caught all three of his targets for 16 yards in Atlanta's big divisional win.
2024 stats: 5 games | 71 att | 350 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 1 rush TD | 17 rec | 167 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
If you want to know how imperative Jones is to the Vikings' offensive success, look at the lack of production in the run game after the veteran exited Sunday's game with a hip injury in the first quarter.
| Vikings offense vs. Jets | First quarter (before Jones' injury) | Rest of game |
|---|---|---|
| Yards per play | 5.6 | 3.1 |
| Rush yards | 50 | 32 |
| Yards per carry | 4.5 | 1.7 |
| Third down conversions | 4-5 | 0-8 |
Fortunately for Jones, who also had a nice 24-yard catch from Nick Mullens (in for Sam Darnold for one snap), he has the bye week to get healthy before a huge divisional meeting with the Lions at home.
2024 stats: 5 games | 95 att | 360 rush yds | 3.8 ypc | 6 rush TDs | 14 rec | 71 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Williams is heating up. He reached the 100-yard mark for the first time this season in Los Angeles' loss to Green Bay on Sunday. He also got into the end zone on a 1-yard plunge for his sixth TD run of the season. With that effort, Williams became the fourth player in the last 15 seasons to have a least one rush TD in eight straight games, joining Ezekiel Elliott (2022), Jonathan Taylor (2021) and Nick Chubb (2020-21). He'll need to keep scoring if the Rams aim to get back in the win column.
2024 stats: 5 games | 90 att | 402 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 1 rush TD | 8 rec | 73 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 1 fumble lost
Like he's done for much of the season, Jacobs provided the Packers offense with some balance in the run game in the win over the Rams -- and the back scored his first touchdown with Green Bay on a 2-yard run in the first quarter. The veteran has provided a healthy boost to this rushing attack, so much so that Green Bay's 824 rush yards this season are the franchise's most through five games since 1971 (841), per NFL Research. (Green Bay had 408 rush yards through five games last season.) I know y'all have had a great run on quarterbacks, but this is fascinating.
2024 stats: 5 games | 73 att | 325 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 5 rush TDs | 8 rec | 68 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
It seems like everyone on Earth got a carry in the Commanders' rout of the Browns. Six players had a tote, and while Robinson didn't have his best day (seven attempts for 18 yards), he scored twice. The first came on a 4-yard run in to open the scoring late in the first quarter and the second on a 1-yard run late in the second.
2024 stats: 4 games | 63 att | 271 rush yds | 4.3 ypc | 4 rush TDs | 9 rec | 94 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Montgomery has scored in each game this season with his best performance (22 carries, 105 rush yards) coming in the Week 3 win over Arizona. There are a ton of mouths to feed in Detroit's offense, but so far, when Montgomery's number has been called, he's answered with a positive gain. He'll need to continue that positive playmaking, as the Lions head out on back-to-back road games in Dallas and Minnesota out of the bye week.
2024 stats: 5 games | 68 att | 393 rush yds | 5.8 ypc | 2 rush TDs | 17 rec | 82 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 1 fumble lost
Hubbard has been a bright spot on a struggling Panthers offense (other than losing his first fumble of the season in last week's loss to Chicago). Over the last three weeks, Hubbard has the second-most rushing yards (315) and has gained the fourth-most rushing yards over expected (116), per Next Gen Stats. It's going to be a long season for Carolina fans, but Hubbard is worth watching.
2024 stats: 5 games | 83 att | 379 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 8 rec | 66 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost
Conner bulldozed over the 49ers defense late in Sunday's contest, rushing for 72 yards on 12 carries in Arizona's final two scoring drives to propel the Cardinals to an upset win. When Conner and the run game are clicking, this Arizona offense is nearly unstoppable. Conner has averaged 104 rush yards per game in the team's two wins and just 57 in the three losses. Let's see if Conner and Co. can build off this performance against Green Bay this Sunday.
DROPPED OUT: J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (previously No. 8).
