Both recently and since these four teams entered the NFL, this division has had a lot of success at the running back position. I’ve compiled a list of the top ten running backs for each of these clubs. This list includes one current NFL running back. I’m sure you can find out who that player is with some thought. How are the best running backs all the time?
Although the NFC North has only been in its current form since 2002, I used the whole history of all four teams to compile this list.
I’ll admit that I favoured players who excelled during the modern era of football time the game is playing in its current form.
This ranking omitted many good runners, including some Hall of Fame backs. One contemporary running back, Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, is an honourable mention on this list. He’s terrific but not quite good enough to enter the top ten.
Is your all-time favourite NFC North running back on the list?
- Detroit Lions’ Billy Sims
Due to a terrible knee injury, Billy Sims only played in the NFL for five seasons, but he influenced the Detroit Lions. From 1980 through 1984, he was a dynamic runner who deserved to be much higher on our list.
If he was not so badly hurt.
In each of his first three seasons in the NFL, he was familiar with the Pro Bowl, and he carried for two touchdowns in two career postseason games. He ran for more than 1000 yards three times, including a career-high 1437 yards in 1981. He led the NFL in both rushing and total touchdowns (13) in 1980. (16). He was a fantastic pass catcher and runner, averaging over 1800 total yards from scrimmage in two different seasons.
Sims led the Lions to 47 touchdowns in 58 games, and he deserves to look on as an all-time great. Despite his injuries, few players have enjoyed as much success in such a short period as Sims, who remains one of the best running backs in NFC North history. His accomplishments are self-evident.
Chicago Bears’ Rick Casares
Rick Casares isn’t the only Bears running back to be associated with greatness. He was, nonetheless, a dynamic runner in the 1950s. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl in each of the five seasons from 1955 to 1959. In 1956, he was hand-pick to the First-Team All-Pro team for the first time.
Casares was unstoppable for a brief period. In 1956, he led the NFL in both yards and touchdowns. In 1956 and 1957, and led the NFL in carries in back-to-back seasons. He averaged 4.1 yards per carrying in his ten years with the Bears. While in Chicago, he was also a dangerous running back out of the backfield, scoring ten receiving touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers Ahman Green #3
Some people overlook Ahman Green’s contributions to the Packers, although he was one of the best runners in the NFL for a few seasons. He holds the record for most rushes in Green Bay history (8322 yards). From 2001 through 2004, he was bidding on four consecutive Pro Bowls, which is an incredible accomplishment. He isn’t the highest-ranked Packer runner on this list, though.
Green carried for at least 1000 yards in six straight seasons with the Packers, including five years from 2000 to 2004. In 2003, he rushed for 1883 yards and 20 touchdowns. Green was more than a great rusher; he was also a dominant pass-catching running back.
Although his 34 fumbles with Green Bay tarnished his career, he remains an all-time great in the NFC North. With 68 career touchdowns with the Packers, he ranks third in the franchise’s history. It’s worth noting that Green was a home run hitter and twice had the longest run in an NFL season. He is, without a doubt, one of the best runners of this millennium in this division.
