Aerial attacks get most of the attention in the NFL for good reason, but I’ve got my eyes on three dynamic duos on the ground that could be giving defensive coordinators fits across the league in 2024.
The three duos — Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, plus Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor — all have the ability to put defenses in conflict with read-option plays that open a world of possibilities at the mesh point. Will the quarterback keep and throw, keep and run or hand off?
All three duos feature an electrifying quarterback who is experienced with run-pass options (RPOs) and zone-read options, plus a running back capable of winning a rushing title. They are also capable of breaking this rushing record. The most rush yards by a QB-RB duo in a single season in NFL history is 2,428 by Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris for Washington in 2012. The rookie duo took the league by storm that year becoming the only QB-RB duo all time with 500 rush yards and 1,500 rush yards in a season, respectively.
Here’s an outlook at each duo heading into 2024:
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry (Ravens)
Just four years ago, this pair combined for over 3,000 rushing yards, but on different teams. Jackson is still just one of three quarterbacks all time with 1,000 rushing yards in a season, while Henry is one of eight players in NFL history with a 2,000-yard rushing season. I don’t expect Jackson and Henry to put up those kind of numbers (Ravens OC Todd Monken has already mentioned managing Henry’s workload at age 30), but I anticipate a more effective running game that could help Jackson and Henry reach their first Super Bowl. Remember, Baltimore running backs combined for just six carries and 23 yards in the AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs.
This is the kind of thunder-and-lightning combination that should strike fear into defenses all season. The Ravens lead…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ravens-lamar-jackson-and-derrick-henry-plus-other-pairs-who-can-set-record-for-most-rush-yards-by-qb-rb-duo/
Author : Douglas Clawson
Publish date : 2024-06-12 12:05:18
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