2024 NFL: Rushing Changes from 2022 to 2023
2024 NFL Rushing Changes from 2022 to 2023 (Google Sheet)
As my calendar flips from baseball to football, I started to convert my projection sheet from 2023 to 2024. It was interesting to see some swings in rushing stats.
From 2022 to 2023, there were 164 fewer rushing attempts, leading to a decline of 3,607 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns (470). Ball carriers gained 4.20 yards per rush, down from 4.6 the previous season.
The Dolphins had the most significant improvement in rushing yards (622), highlighted by 15 more rushing scores. They finished with a league-high eight runs of 40 yards or more (one in 2022). On the downside, Miami has a spike of eight rushing fumbles (13 in 2023 and 5 in 2022). The Dolphins ran the ball 66 times more than the previous year while gaining 5.1 yards per rushing attempt, 0.8 yards (best in the league) more than 2022.
Surprisingly, the Buffalo Bills had the largest increase in rushing attempts (82) and first downs running the ball (30). Despite their higher opportunity, the Bills finished with 20 fewer rushing yards, with a decline of 0.9 yards per carry. Buffalo also had 11 fewer runs of 20 yards or more, second behind the Cleveland Browns (-12 due to the Nick Chubb injury).
Arizona added 37 more rushing attempts last year, leading to a jump of 492 yards on the ground. They improved by 14 rushes of 20+ yards or more from 2022. The return of Kyler Murray was part of their success. The Cardinals ranked second in gains by yards per carry (+0.7).
The Rams were the third-best team in rushing improvements (+ 66 rushes, +384 yards, and +21 rushing first downs), thanks to the emergence of Kyren Williams.
Washington ran the ball 179 fewer times than in 2022 despite ranking third in the league in growth in their yards per rush (+0.4). The Commanders ran the ball 4.6% more on first downs than in 2022 (the biggest increase in the league).
The New York Giants had the most significant decline in rushing yards (645) and first downs rushing (53). They scored 11 fewer touchdowns on the ground, tied with the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite two talented running backs (Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier) and a semi-running quarterback, the Falcons finished with a regression of 559 rushing yards on 37 fewer carries.
Jacksonville ran the ball five times more than in 2022, but they gained 470 fewer rushing yards due to smaller running lanes (-1.1 yards per rush - tied for last in the league with the Las Vegas Raiders).
The Bears ranked 31st in the NFL in changed rushing yards (-615) despite attempting only 24 fewer runs. Justin Fields' stats (2022 - 160/1,143/8 and 2023 - 124/657/4) highlight their stepback in rushing production.
Dallas and Philadelphia scored 10 fewer rushing touchdowns than in 2022.