Chasing Dickerson: Chris Johnson Needs 709 Yards In Five Games

[r8rh8rmike]

Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:33 pm EST

Chasing Dickerson: Chris Johnson needs 709 yards in five games

By MJD

For 25 years now, Eric Dickerson has held the NFL's single-season rushing record with the 2,105 rushing yards he racked up in 1984. That record is now in some danger.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, with five games to go, has the legendary record in his sights.

It's doable. More doable than you think, even.

Johnson has averaged 126.9 yards per game on the year, and he'll need to average 141.8 over the last five if he's going to catch Dickerson. The news is better than it appears, though.

In the six games started by Kerry Collins, Johnson averaged 99.3 yards per game. In the five games since Vince Young has taken over, he's averaged 160 yards per game. So he doesn't even have to get better to take down Dickerson's record. He's just gotta keep on keepin' on.

If you're wondering about the rushing defenses he'll face, they're nothing staggering. He's got the 15th, 28th, 12th, 21st and 18th ranked rushing defenses left on his schedule, giving up an average of 118.8 yards a game. The last five defenses he faced gave up an average of 119.

And if it does happen, it will happen way more impressively. Dickerson got 23.7 carries per game. Right now, Johnson is getting 19.7.

Things set up pretty well for Johnson, so Dickerson, you might want to start thinking about clearing your schedule on January 3rd so you can attend Chris Johnson's record-breaking ceremony. Don't worry, though. Your status as the most awkward sideline reporter of all-time will always remain safe.

[01d 0rd3r]

My main goal this season is now preserving dickerson's record. Spags need to find a way to stop this kid from getting 100+ yards in our game. Would like that record to stay with the rams until another ram breaks it.

[r8rh8rmike]

My main goal this season is now preserving dickerson's record. Spags need to find a way to stop this kid from getting 100+ yards in our game. Would like that record to stay with the rams until another ram breaks it.

I would too. It's ironic that the Rams have a chance to thwart Johnson in his attempt to break the record, and it will certainly add an interesting back drop to the game and hopefully some motivation, because let's face it, the Rams run defense needs all the help it can get. The way things have been regressing, Johnson must be licking his lips. Spags has his work cut out for him.

[eldfan]

I would too. It's ironic that the Rams have a chance to thwart Johnson in his attempt to break the record, and it will certainly add an interesting back drop to the game and hopefully some motivation, because let's face it, the Rams run defense needs all the help it can get. The way things have been regressing, Johnson must be licking his lips. Spags has his work cut out for him.

I was thinking the same thing, he is a different type of back then ED but the record might fall.

[TheRammer]

My main goal this season is now preserving dickerson's record. Spags need to find a way to stop this kid from getting 100+ yards in our game. Would like that record to stay with the rams until another ram breaks it.

AMEN to this, obviously this season is a loss but we can at least preserve ED record and I think we should shoot to make Steven have a shot at the rushing title to salvage something out of this season and get something posItive to take into next season don't you guys agree?________________ 4 LIFE!!!NO CHANGING!!NO QUITING!!PRESERVE OUR HISTORY!!!