The best NFL running back single-game performances in history

This slide show displays the top 25 NFL running back single-game performances in history.

1 of 28

Clinton Portis: Dec. 7, 2003

Helen H. Richardson / Denver Post

Portis completely thrashed the K.C. defense in a 45-27 win, rushing 22 times for 218 yards and five touchdowns. He also added two receptions for 36 yards.

2 of 28

Shaun Alexander: Sept. 29, 2002

Tami Tomsic / Top NFL running back game performances in history

Alexander and the Seahawks scored 48 points on Minnesota. He rushed 24 times for 139 yards and four scores, adding three receptions for 92 yards and one score as a receiver for 231 yards from scrimmage.

3 of 28

Corey Dillon: Dec. 4, 1997

Rick Stewart / Getty Images

Dillon had a memorable performance for the Bengals against Tennessee. He helped Cincinnati put up 41 points, rushing 39 times for 246 yards and four scores. He also had two receptions for 30 yards.

4 of 28

Jamaal Charles: Dec. 15, 2013

Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

Visiting the rival Raiders, Charles made the most of his contribution as a receiver. He did enough in that role to have one of the best days ever by a back, with eight receptions for 195 yards and four touchdowns. He also had eight carries for 20 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

5 of 28

Doug Martin: Nov. 4, 2012

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Martin beat up the Raiders in Oakland, rushing 25 times for 251 yards and four scores. He added four receptions for 21 yards.

6 of 28

Mike Anderson: Dec. 3, 2000

Karl Gehring / Denver Post

One of coach Mike Shanahan's out-of-nowhere backs, Anderson rushed 37 times for 251 yards and four scores against the Saints.

7 of 28

Le'Veon Bell: Dec. 11, 2016

Kevin Hoffman / USA Today Sports Images

Bell ran over Rex Ryan's Buffalo defense, rushing for 236 yards and three scores on 38 carries. He added four receptions for 62 yards in the 27-20 Steelers win.

8 of 28

Larry Brown: Dec. 16, 1973

James Flores / Getty Images

Brown took it to the Eagles as both a rusher and receiver. He had 26 carries for 150 yards and one score on the ground, along with three receptions for 105 yards and three scores as a receiver.

9 of 28

Adrian Peterson: Nov. 4, 2007

Rob Tringali / SportsChrome

Peterson had a record-breaking game against the Chargers, rushing 30 times for 296 yards and three scores.

10 of 28

Barry Sanders: Nov. 24, 1991

Betsy Peabody Rowe / Getty Images

Sanders couldn't be stopped in his epic game against the Vikings. He rushed 23 times for 220 yards and four scores, adding four receptions for 31 yards.

11 of 28

Fred Taylor: Nov. 19, 2000

George Gojkovich / Getty Images

Taylor ran over the Steelers, rushing 30 times for 234 yards and three scores. He also had three receptions for 14 yards and one score as a receiver.

12 of 28

Priest Holmes: Nov. 24, 2002

Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images

Holmes and the epic early 2000s Chiefs offense tore apart the Seattle defense in a losing effort. The running back had 23 carries for 197 yards and two touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 110 yards and one receiving score.

13 of 28

Jerome Harrison: Dec. 20, 2009

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Harrison and the Browns ran right over the K.C. defense, with 34 carries for 286 yards and three scores.

14 of 28

Derrick Henry: Dec 6, 2018

Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Henry had a late-season onslaught in 2018, and his biggest game was against Jacksonville. He rushed 17 times for 238 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-9 victory.

15 of 28

Marshall Faulk: Oct. 20, 2002

Mike Moore / Getty Images

Faulk had one of his best games in 2002, rushing 32 times for 183 yards and three scores. He also had seven receptions for 52 yards and one receiving touchdown.

16 of 28

Chris Johnson: Sept. 20, 2009

Joe Robbins / Getty Images

Johnson ran over the Houston defense in a losing effort, rushing 16 times for 197 yards and two scores. He also had nine catches for 87 receiving yards and one score.

17 of 28

Delvin Williams: Nov. 7, 1976

Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Williams had 279 yards from scrimmage against the Redskins, rushing 23 times for 180 yards and two rushing touchdowns and added four receptions for 99 yards and one receiving score.

18 of 28

LaDainian Tomlinson: Oct. 14, 2007

Rob Tringali / SportsChrome

LT2 had several of the best games ever by a running back, and his performance against the Raiders in 2007 was arguably the best of them all. He had 24 carries for 198 yards and four scores.

19 of 28

Shaun Alexander: Nov. 11, 2001

Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images

Alexander's first incredible game took place against the Raiders, when he rushed 35 times for 266 yards and three scores. He had more yards from scrimmage than in his 2002 performance but only three scores compared to five scores one year later.

20 of 28

LaDainian Tomlinson: Dec. 1, 2002

Joel Zwink / Getty Images

Tomlinson ran through the Denver defense with 37 carries for 220 yards and three scores, adding 11 catches for 51 yards.

21 of 28

LaDainian Tomlinson: Sept. 25, 2005

Kirby Lee / Getty Images

Tomlinson beat the Giants in every possible way in a 45-23 victory. He had 21 rushes for 192 yards and three rushing touchdowns, six catches for 28 yards, and he also threw a 26-yard touchdown pass.

22 of 28

Joseph Addai: Nov. 26, 2006

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Peyton Manning had his fair share of great running backs during his Colts career, and Addai had flashes for a short time in his career. He had 24 carries for 171 yards and four scores, adding two receptions for 37 yards in 2006 against the Eagles.

23 of 28

Todd Gurley: Dec. 17, 2017

Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Gurley all but sealed his 2017 Offensive Player of the Year Award with a huge game at Seattle. He had 21 carries for 152 yards and three rushing touchdowns, adding three receptions for 28 yards and a receiving score.

24 of 28

Clinton Portis: Dec. 15: 2002

Brian Bahr / Getty Images

The first amazing game from Portis included 205 yards from scrimmage, as he rushed for 130 yards on 21 carries and had three receptions for 75 yards. He scored three touchdowns on the ground and one as a receiver against the Chiefs.

25 of 28

Marshall Faulk: Dec. 24, 2000

Joseph Patronite / Getty Images

In the follow-up season to the Rams' 1999 breakout, Faulk put up huge numbers and had his best game of the year at New Orleans. He rushed 32 times for 220 yards and two scores, adding seven catches for 41 yards and one score.

26 of 28

Jonas Gray: Nov. 16, 2014

Boston Globe

Gray's 2014 performance could go down as the biggest fluke in history. The little-known running back broke out for 201 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries vs. Indianapolis. He was benched the following week.

27 of 28

Earl Campbell: Nov. 20, 1978

Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Campbell was quite the workhorse during his career, and that included his big day against the Dolphins in 1978. He had 28 rushes for 199 yards and four scores.

28 of 28

Tiki Barber: Dec. 30, 2006

MGT / Tribune News Service

Barber came up big with a historic day at Washington, rushing 23 times for 234 yards and three scores. He added three receptions for 24 yards.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mavericks' Luka Doncic gets payback, knocks out Clippers
Lakers fire HC Darvin Ham after disappointing season
Pius Suter's late goal sends Canucks to second round
Marlins trading away two-time All-Star as fire sale may already be underway
Doc Rivers, Giannis Antetokounmpo contradict each other on star's injury
Caitlin Clark's strong WNBA debut dismisses concerns about transition to pros
Dolphins add another star playmaker on offense
Yankees' Aaron Judge addresses offensive woes creeping into May
Golden Knights force Game 7 behind shutout by Adin Hill
Donovan Mitchell's 50-burger goes to waste as Magic dominate the offensive glass to force Game 7
Jets HC Robert Saleh addresses QB Aaron Rodgers' status for OTAs
Eagles lose veteran OL to injured reserve
Rangers lose two-time All-Star starting pitcher to injury
Lakers make another big change after firing Darvin Ham
Draymond Green predicts LeBron James' next team
Twins place pivotal outfielder on injured list due to knee issue
Lakers' chances of landing Tyronn Lue not considered 'realistic'
Pirates option struggling former No. 1 overall pick to minors
Rangers' Vincent Trocheck downplays second-round showdown with former team
Longtime coach compares Patriots' Drake Maye to two legends