Running backs improved from the Week 1 struggles in both yards per carry and touchdowns, but as a collective group, they are behind last year's numbers.
Through two weeks of the season, there have been 104 fewer running back carries compared to last year, which is something to monitor for player props in the upcoming weeks if the drop remains steady.
Running backs returned to 4.3 yards per carry in Week 2, up from 3.9 in Week 1, and scored 17 rushing touchdowns, totalling 33 touchdowns through two weeks.
That is down from 43 touchdowns a year ago.
Jonathan Taylor led all running backs with 165 rushing yards against the Denver Broncos defense, which allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards to running backs in 2024.
Week 2 provides us with a good reminder that year-over-year defensive success as a team is less predictable than offensive success.
NFL Weekly Rushing Leaders, 2025:
| Week | Running Back | Rushing Yards | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derrick Henry | 169 | Buffalo Bills |
| 2 | Jonathan Taylor | 165 | Denver Broncos |
Most Week 3 Rushing Yards Prediction (Sunday): Kenneth Walker (+2200)
Zach Charbonnet missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and is trending towards missing Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Klint Kubiak was not retained by the Saints after a single season as offensive coordinator, creating a revenge narrative for the Seahawks coordinator.
Some may speculate that Kubiak has limited Walker’s usage in preparation for this game as he wanted to keep him fresh, which seems plausible given the fact that Charbonnet averaged 0.7 yards per carry yet had 15 carries against the Steelers.
Saints DC Brandon Staley is not known for his elite run stopping defenses.
The Chargers ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed to opposing running backs and 31st in yards per attempt over his three year span as Chargers head coach.
This, combined with Kubiak’s 31st-ranked pass rate over expectation, provides Kenneth Walker with plenty of opportunities to create some splash plays.
Cashing a most rushing yards bet requires explosive plays.
Derrick Henry had 3 rushes over 30 yards, and Jonathan Taylor had a 68-yard rush and a 100% share of the running back carries in Week 2.
Walker is trending for a high workload in Week 3, which creates some value at the current odds to be Sunday’s leading rusher.
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Week 3 Rushing Yards Longshot Bet: Kyle Monangai & Brashard Smith Anytime Touchdown (+3185)
Round 7 rookie running back anytime touchdown parlay!
Both running backs had minimal draft capital, but the incumbent running backs have not performed well, creating a sliver of opportunity for the seventh-round picks.
Patrick Mahomes has a 75-yard lead as the Chiefs' leading rusher.
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt continue to struggle to add any explosiveness to the running game, something Brashard Smith could bring.
Kyle Monangai’s box scores don’t jump out, but 85.7% of his rush attempts have been into boxes with 8 or more defenders.
The Chicago Bears rank 32nd in rush success rate through two weeks, which is no surprise, as D’Andre Swift finished near the bottom of most rushing metrics last season.
