Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson came so close to breaking Eric Dickerson’s rushing record. In his last game of the season, Peterson rushed for 199 yards, coming within 9 yards of breaking the record.
After an impressive rookie season in 1983 (1,808 rushing yards), Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams broke out in his sophomore season for 2,105 rushing yards on 379 carries. His 2,105 single season rushing yards total, still stands over 25 years later. Jamal Lewis came within 50 yards back in 2003.
Only 6 players in the history of the NFL have rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season; Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Chris Johnson, and OJ Simpson.
| Rk | Player | Team | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Eric Dickerson | Los Angeles Rams | 2,105 | 1984 |
| 2 | ** Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 2,097 | 2012 |
| 3 | Jamal Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | 2,066 | 2003 |
| 4 | Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | 2,053 | 1997 |
| 5 | Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | 2,008 | 1998 |
| 6 | Chris Johnson | Tennessee Titans | 2,006 | 2009 |
| 7 | O.J. Simpson | Buffalo Bills | 2,003 | 1973 |
| 8 | Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | 1,934 | 1980 |
| T9 | Ahman Green | Green Bay Packers | 1,883 | 2003 |
| Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | 1,883 | 1994 | |
| 11 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | 1,880 | 2005 |
| 12 | Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | 1,863 | 1963 |
| 13 | Tiki Barber | New York Giants | 1,860 | 2005 |
| 14 | Ricky Williams | Miami Dolphins | 1,853 | 2002 |
| 15 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | 1,852 | 1977 |
| 16 | Jamal Anderson | Atlanta Falcons | 1,846 | 1998 |
| 17 | Eric Dickerson | Los Angeles Rams | 1,821 | 1986 |
| 18 | O.J. Simpson | Buffalo Bills | 1,817 | 1975 |
| 19 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | 1,815 | 2006 |
| 20 | Eric Dickerson | Los Angeles Rams | 1,808 | 1983 |
| 21 | Larry Johnson | Kansas City Chiefs | 1,789 | 2006 |
| 22 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | 1,773 | 1995 |
| 23 | Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 1,760 | 2008 |
| 24 | Marcus Allen | Los Angeles Raiders | 1,759 | 1985 |
| T25 | Larry Johnson | Kansas City Chiefs | 1,750 | 2005 |
| Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | 1,750 | 1997 | |
| 27 | Gerald Riggs | Atlanta Falcons | 1,719 | 1985 |
| 28 | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys | 1,713 | 1992 |
| 29 | Edgerrin James | Indianapolis Colts | 1,709 | 2000 |
| 30 | Michael Turner | Atlanta Falcons | 1,699 | 2008 |
| T31 | Curtis Martin | New York Jets | 1,697 | 2004 |
| Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | 1,697 | 1979 | |
| 33 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle Seahawks | 1,696 | 2004 |
| 34 | Frank Gore | San Francisco 49ers | 1,695 | 2006 |
| 35 | Barry Foster | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1,690 | 1992 |
| 36 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | 1,684 | 1984 |
| 37 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | 1,683 | 2002 |
| 38 | George Rogers | New Orleans Saints | 1,674 | 1981 |
| 39 | Jerome Bettis | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1,665 | 1997 |
| 40 | Tiki Barber | New York Giants | 1,662 | 2006 |
| 41 | Eric Dickerson | Indianapolis Colts | 1,659 | 1988 |
| 42 | Tony Dorsett | Dallas Cowboys | 1,646 | 1981 |
| 43 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego Chargers | 1,645 | 2003 |
| 44 | Deuce McAllister | New Orleans Saints | 1,641 | 2003 |
| 45 | Corey Dillon | New England Patriots | 1,635 | 2004 |
| 46 | Arian Foster | Houton Texans | 1,616 | 2010 |
| 47 | Priest Holmes | Kansas City Chiefs | 1,615 | 2002 |
| 48 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears | 1,610 | 1979 |
| 49 | Ottis Anderson | St. Louis Cardinals | 1,605 | 1979 |
** Updated Dec. 30th, 2012
Sources:
pro-football-reference.com
databasefootball.com
wikipedia.org
espn.com
| All-Time Leaders – Offense | Single Season Leaders – Offense | Defense Leaders |
| Total Passing Yards | Passing Yards | All-Time Interception |
| Touchdown Passes | Touchdown Passes | Single Season Interceptions |
| Rushing Yards | Rushing Yards | Interception Return Yards |
| Receiving Yards | Rushing Touchdowns | All Time Sacks |
| Touchdowns (RB and WR) | Receiving Yards | Single Season Sacks |
| Receiving Touchdowns | ||
| Fumbles |