Barry Sanders' 1997 Season Ranked All-Time Best for Running Backs

CBS Sports called Barry Sanders' 1997 season the best ever for an NFL running back.

John Maakaron | Jun 17, 2022

Reflecting on the career highlights of Barry Sanders is never a fruitless effort.

Now that the offseason is about to truly commence, reflecting back on the top seasons of elite running backs can increase appreciation for their accomplishments.

In a recent ranking of the all-time great NFL seasons for a running back, CBS Sports ranked Sanders' 1997 season as the best ever.

The criteria used to compile the list includes individual statistics, individual accolades, team success, individual postseason success and enduring legacy.

"The '97 season was a testament to the greatness of Sanders, who did more with less than any running back before or after him. Sanders ran for 53 yards during the season's first two games, then proceeded to run for exactly 2,000 yards during the final 14 games. He eclipsed over 100 yards in each of those games while leading the Lions to the playoffs," writer Bryan DeArdo explained. "The ever-elusive Sanders finished the season with 2,053 yards (then the second-highest total in NFL history) while averaging a whopping 6.1 yards per carry."

Sanders bested the likes of some all-time great backs, including Eric Dickerson, Terrell Davis, O.J. Simpson, Jim Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson, Walter Payton and Adrian Peterson.

sanders5 — © RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

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Published Jun 17, 2022

JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!