The 25 best single-game rushing performances in NFL playoff history

This game is best remembered for Brett Favre's game-winning missile to Sterling Sharpe, but the visitors could not contain Sanders during their 28-24 win. The stop-start maestro posted 169 rushing yards on 27 carries. While none of those totes produced a touchdown during a night in which Sanders also did not gain any yards through the air, the Lions' engine hummed -- to the tune of five gains of double-digit yardage, including a 44-yarder -- in the team's second home playoff game in three years. This would be Detroit's final home postseason booking until 2023, as Sanders' lack of help became a central storyline. 

Fueled by one of the greatest cornerback seasons in NFL history, the Darrelle Revis-powered Jets carried a 14-point road lead into the fourth quarter in Cincinnati. A Benson 47-yard touchdown run halved that, pulling the AFC North champions back into the game. This came during a 169-yard performance for Benson, a player who failed to justify his first-round draft slot in Chicago but came alive in Cincinnati. This game featured a strong running back duel, with rookie Shonn Greene delivering 135 yards in the Jets' 24-14 win. This season brought the first of three straight Benson 1,000-yard years, but the Bengals could not pull out a playoff win in this period.

This matchup proved seminal for a few reasons. The Chiefs held an opponent touchdown-less and lost, leading to the Patrick Mahomes trade-up the following April. A weather-driven postponement pushed the NFL to greenlight more early-round night games. Statistically, no one was better than Bell. The fourth-year Steelers' 30-carry, 170-yard outing kept the Chiefs at bay in an 18-16 triumph. Bell's patient style did the trick in Mike Tomlin's most recent playoff win, and this All-Pro season prompted Pittsburgh to franchise tag Bell in 2017. Bell famously protested the 2018 tag, providing a turbulent end to this partnership. 

The Jaguars rallied from 2-6 to the playoffs in their second year of existence, though it took a 30-yard Morten Andersen missed field goal to secure the upstart team entry. Jacksonville made the most of it, upending the Bills and Broncos en route to one of the most improbable conference championship game runs in NFL history. Means played a lead role in kickstarting it, bludgeoning the Bills for 175 yards and a touchdown in the Jags' 30-27 win. After a 62-yard jaunt set up a field goal, Means eluded Bruce Smith and Chris Spielman on a 30-yard second-quarter TD to give the Jags a halftime lead. This game was Jim Kelly's NFL finale.

Coming back from a season-ending hip injury, Holmes set a then-record by scoring 27 touchdowns in 2003. Enjoying ideal circumstances in running behind a two-Hall-of-Fame O-line and Canton-bound tight end Tony Gonzalez, Holmes gashed the Colts for 176 yards and two touchdowns in a game that did not include a punt. A Holmes fumble after a 48-yard third-quarter run proved crucial, however, as it gave co-MVP Peyton Manning a chance to increase the Colts' lead. Holmes punctuated two Chiefs drives with 1-yard TD dives, but a porous Kansas City defense could not hold serve against a high-flying Indianapolis offense in a 38-31 loss.

The only quarterback on this list, Kaepernick, made his playoff debut count. As the zone read had become a key weapon for certain teams in 2012, the 49ers unleashed their dynamic QB on the Packers. Kaepernick blazed Green Bay for 181 rushing yards on 16 carries. Two of those went for scores, as the 49ers ran away with a 45-31 win. Kaepernick, who also outdid Aaron Rodgers through the air (263 yards), scored on 20- and 56-yard runs. The 56-yarder broke a 24-all tie in the third quarter. The 49ers traded Alex Smith weeks after this dominant outing. No other QB has cleared 150 rushing yards in a playoff game.

Henry steamrolled the Patriots for 182 yards and a touchdown, stopping the defending champions' quest at a fourth straight Super Bowl berth and ending the Tom Brady era in Foxborough . This was only Henry's second-best game during these playoffs. The 2019 rushing champion, who had spent much of his first two seasons behind DeMarco Murray, stormed through a No. 1-ranked Patriot defense — to the point that the Titans won despite Ryan Tannehill's 72 passing yards. Adding a 22-yard reception in a dominant playoff debut, Henry parlayed this postseason into a franchise tag and a four-year, $50 million extension in 2020.

Outgaining the Jaguars 501-237, the Broncos exacted revenge 11 months after a shocking divisional-round loss. Davis did the most to ensure no repeat Jags upset would occur, gliding to a 184-yard day. Davis scored twice during Denver's 42-17 romp, and his backups (Vaughn Hebron, Derrick Loville) were in by the fourth quarter to prevent a placement higher on the all-time postseason rushing list. A 59-yard sprint late in the third quarter ended Davis' day, as the All-Pro running back suffered a minor injury falling on the football. Davis sat out a few fourth quarters during a better 1998 season, one that saw him win MVP acclaim. 

Davis is the NFL's greatest postseason running back; Riggins and Henry have stronger claims to best single-playoff performances. Riggins ran roughshod over the Vikings in Round 2 of the strike-altered season's 16-team postseason tournament, gaining 185 yards to go with a touchdown in Washington's 21-7 home win. Washington's "Hogs" front paved lanes for Riggins, who logged 37 carries -- fourth-most in playoff history. Riggins totaled seven carries on Washington's game-opening TD drive and scored on a 2-yard run later in the first stanza. Riggins accumulated 36 carries in an NFC championship game win over Dallas a week later.

Finishing off their AFC four-peat, the Bills beat the Chiefs for the second time in three playoffs. This game featured Joe Montana going down just after halftime, but Buffalo had mounted a 14-point lead before that point. Thomas fueled this effort, gaining 186 yards and scoring three touchdowns. The Bills leaned on their sixth-year RB star for 33 carries, and he amassed 129 rushing yards by halftime. A 33-yard Thomas scamper set up the second of his short-yardage scores, as the Bills pushed the margin to two scores. Thomas' ground work kept it at that safe margin the rest of the way en route to a Cowboys rematch.

The Ravens won big on their two-year, $16 million Henry signing. Making a stronger case as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, the ninth-year veteran rambled for 186 yards days past his 31st birthday. Henry scored twice in Baltimore's 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, with the second of his rushing TDs -- a 44-yarder -- burying any Steelers comeback hopes. This was Henry's fourth 100-yard playoff performance, moving him into second place for such postseason feats. All four of those showings cleared the 150-yard mark. Considering the wear and tear on Henry by this point, this might be his most impressive.

Washington entered Super Bowl XVIII as defending champions. Joe Gibbs' team finished 14-2, set an NFL scoring record and paced the NFL in turnover differential. The Raiders buried the NFC champs, marking the AFC's last Super Bowl win for 13 years. Allen had only posted one 100-yard rushing game during the regular season, but the second-year RB went 3-for-3, clearing that threshold in the playoffs. His masterpiece came via a 191-yard, two-touchdown night. A 5-yard Allen touchdown gave Los Angeles a 28-9 lead; he punctuated the underdogs' performance later in the third with a 74-yard TD that remains a signature Super Bowl moment.

A windy Philadelphia day keyed ugly passing lines. Ron Jaworski and Danny White combined to go 21-for-60 for 218 yards, zero touchdown passes and three interceptions. Jaworski's side won out thanks to Montgomery, who rushed for 194 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. A well-blocked 42-yard Montgomery jaunt started the scoring in the Eagles' 20-7 win, and he added a 55-yard scamper in the second half. A fourth-year back, Montgomery had made the Pro Bowl in 1978 and '79. This became the former sixth-round pick's career-defining game, as it turned the tide in what had been a one-sided rivalry for ages.

Years before signing Henry as a free agent, the Ravens saw his game-wrecking abilities firsthand. Lamar Jackson's MVP season led Baltimore to a 14-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They could not contain Henry, however, as a 9-7 Titans outfit pulled a 28-12 upset to bring the first signs of concern Jackson's play style could produce a high-stakes playoff win. Henry gained 195 yards on 30 carries. While no rushing touchdowns were scored, the fourth-year RB did throw a 3-yard TD pass to Corey Davis to give Tennessee a 21-6 lead in the third quarter. A 66-yard Henry sprint set up that trick-play score. 

Probably the best running back over the NFL's first 35 seasons, Van Buren held the record for most rushing yards in a championship game for 14 years. The Eagle dynamo bedeviled the Rams for 196 yards on a muddy L.A. Coliseum field to close out Philly's second straight championship. Van Buren, who had gained a career-high 1,146 rushing yards in the 1949 regular season, did not score in the Eagles' 14-0 win but dominated the game on 31 carries against the resurgent Rams. Eagles QB Tommy Thompson totaled 68 passing yards, as "Supersonic Steve" powered Philly to its second straight championship shutout. 

Davis played eight career playoff games; he surpassed 100 rushing yards in seven of them. Davis and Emmitt Smith are tied with seven postseason 100-yard performances, but the Cowboy legend played in 17 playoff games. Davis' January masterwork came against the Dolphins, who had beaten the Broncos in Week 16. Denver smashed Miami 38-3, with Davis gaining 199 yards and scoring twice. Davis got there on just 21 carries and took only one fourth-quarter handoff. Benefiting from a quality O-line and a consistent zone-blocking scheme, the 1998 MVP eclipsed 2,000 yards in his fourth season (and final healthy campaign).

Ahman Green's successor, Grant completed his first NFL season in 2007. After 956 regular-season rushing yards, the former undrafted free agent reached 201 in an increasingly snowy Packers-Seahawks tilt . Green Bay mowed down Seattle in a 42-20 showing, and Grant scored three times from inside the 3-yard line. Two Grant first-quarter fumbles delayed the Packer onslaught, giving the Seahawks a 14-0 lead. But he rewarded the team's faith and carved up Mike Holmgren's squad in the ex-Packer honcho's final Lambeau Field visit. 

The Bengals entered 1982's 16-team postseason tournament as the defending AFC champions and hosted the Jets. McNeil flipped the script by accumulating 202 yards in New York's first-round conquest. No team received a bye in the strike-altered playoff bracket, and the Jets won 44-17. Cincinnati trailed by six entering the fourth stanza; a McNeil 20-yard TD led to a late avalanche. In addition to the former top-three pick's career rushing day (on only 21 carries), he threw a 14-yard second-quarter TD pass to Derrick Gaffney. Helping the Jets to the AFC championship game, McNeil played 10 more seasons with the team.

Unable to find a consistent quarterback answer during the 1970s, the Rams regularly leaned on McCutcheon. Chuck Knox's ground attack bludgeoned the Cardinals in a 35-23 home Rams win. Although surprise QB starter Ron Jaworski held his own in a 203-yard passing performance, McCutcheon keyed this opening-round conquest with 202 yards on 37 carries. A Pro Bowler from 1973-77, McCutcheon cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four of those seasons. The 1975 slate was the former third-rounder's only three-digit rushing finish in this period. McCutcheon did not score in this game, but a fumble near the goal line led to wideout Ron Jessie recovering for a fourth-quarter TD. 

Operating as a George Rogers backup during his 1987 rookie season, Smith received the call from Joe Gibbs to start in Super Bowl XXII. A banged-up Rogers played behind Smith against the Broncos, watching him set a still-standing Super Bowl rushing record with 204 yards. Smith ran behind a top-shelf offensive line, with Washington's "Hogs" clearing lanes for the Texas Tech alum throughout a 42-10 romp. After Denver went up 10-0, Smith played a central part in the NFC champs' furious rally. Smith's 58-yard TD was one of five Washington second-quarter end zone cameos, and he added a 4-yarder in the fourth quarter. 

Barkley's best game during his 2,000-yard Eagles debut came on a November Sunday night against the Rams, who allowed the ex-Giant to gain 255 rushing yards. Barkley submitted a memorable encore, gaining 205 yards and scoring twice against the visiting Rams in a Philadelphia snowstorm. The valuable free agency pickup broke free for a 62-yard touchdown before the snowfall started and ended up sealing Philly's victory with a 78-yard dash in the fourth quarter. Barkley ended breaking Terrell Davis' record for most rushing yards across a single season and playoffs by reaching 2,504, thanks to three 100-yard playoff outings. 

In maybe the most underrated championship performance in NFL history, Lincoln doused the Patriots in a performance that is also one of the great clutch showings in any sport. In addition to setting a title-game record with 206 rushing yards, the Chargers' fullback added 123 through the air to lead a 51-10 demolition for Sid Gillman's crew. In terms of scrimmage yards, Lincoln's 329 are 72 more than anyone else in playoff history. This tour de force outing remains the peak of Charger football, as Lincoln -- a first-team All-AFL fullback in 1963 -- reached 206 rushing yards on just 13 totes. One of them went for a 67-yard first-quarter score.

Lincoln mastered efficiency on 21 touches; Smith's 200-plus-yard rushing day 37 years later required a volume-based approach. The Dolphins gave their starting RB a staggering 40 carries. Smith, a former Seahawks and Saints role player, turned them into 209 yards and two touchdowns. The second of those came on a determined 17-yard walk-off, vexing the Colts in a 23-17 overtime result . In their first year after making the Dan Marino-to-Jay Fiedler transition, the Dolphins leaned on their seventh-year running back -- whose only 1,000-yard rushing season came in 2000. 

Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco apex involved Mostert smashing the Packers in a 220-yard bonanza. By game's end, Mostert had scored four touchdowns in a 37-20 49ers rout. All four of Mostert's TDs came in the first three quarters, and his 22-yarder put the home team up 34-7 to close the third stanza. Splitting time with Tevin Coleman in 2019, Mostert -- a career special-teamer prior to this season -- made good on his chance and resembled Terrell Davis in this updated Shanahan scheme. The speedy 49er scored from 36, 9 and 18 yards out before his punctuation TD, dominating to the point Jimmy Garoppolo completed 6 of 8 passes for 77 yards to book a Super Bowl berth.

The Rams' near-two-decade-long QB shuffle ended with the 1986 Jim Everett trade. CFL import Dieter Brock, a 34-year-old rookie, was at the controls for the Rams in 1985. The team relied on Dickerson during this period. A year after the former SMU icon set the NFL single-season record with 2,105 rushing yards, he established the playoff benchmark with 248 in a 20-0 Rams dismantling of the Cowboys. The upright runner gouged Dallas' defense in Tom Landry's final playoff game, scoring 55- and 40-yard touchdowns. Staked to six turnovers, Brock went 6-for-22 for 50 yards and an INT. This mattered little, as Dickerson carried the hosts. The ensuing Chicago assignment did not go as well for L.A.