In 1998, Terrell Davis joined an elite group of peers by rushing for 2,000 yards in a season for the Denver Broncos. However, when it comes to touchdowns scored during that 2,000 yard season, Terrell Davis is peerless.
In fact, his 1998 campaign was one of the most prolific rushing seasons in NFL history. Only two other rushing season even compare: LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander scored over 25 touchdowns in 2006 and 2005 respectively, but they did not reach 2,000 yards. Davis is the only running back in NFL history to rush for over 20 touchdowns and 2,000 yards in a season. In a word: peerless.
His 21 touchdowns were 6 more than the next closest 2,000 yard rusher. To put that in perspective, in 1998 and 2016 only the top 16 running backs scored over 6 touchdowns in a season. So Davis is almost a full average season’s worth of touchdowns ahead of the next closest 2,000 yard rusher.
Some more perspective. In 2016, Davis would have scored more touchdowns himself than all but two NFL teams. You would have to combine the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans entire team’s rushing touchdowns this year to surpass Davis’ total.
If you think these comparisons sound outlandish because teams just don’t run as much in 2016, think again.
In 1998, Terrell Davis scored more rushing touchdowns himself, than any other team’s combined runners. You would have to combine the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders (teehee), and New Orleans Saints total team rushing touchdowns that year to surpass Terrell Davis’ touchdown total.
Peerless.