Factoid
It is unusual for a team to gain more yards rushing than passing. It’s happened only five times in the last 25 years.
But I have a feeling we’ll see it this year. Carolina probably will start a rookie quarterback, and it also has an unusual amount of talent to run the ball. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart might be the best one-two punch of tailbacks in the league, and Cam Newton might be the best running quarterback in the league. (The Panthers are even good deeper down the depth chart at tailback, where they have Mike Goodson and Tyrell Sutton).
Newton ran for 1,473 yards and 20 TDs last year at Auburn. He’s built like Tim Tebow but is much faster.
My expectation for Carolina, if it can keep Newton in the lineup, is that it will have a run-dominated offense. I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished 1st in rushing and last in passing, and I believe they’ll score more touchdowns on the ground than through the air.
The rundown appears below of teams that in the last 25 years have gained more yards rushing than passing. On that list, you’ve got Eric Dickerson in his prime working with lesser quarterbacks, Corey Dillon (also a great back) working with Akili Smith as a first-year starter. In the last 10 years, there are two rookie quarterbacks (Kyle Boller, Mark Sanchez) plus the Falcons, who had a Newton-caliber scrambler at quarterback (Michael Vick).
TEAMS WITH MORE YARDS RUSHING THAN PASSING, LAST 25 YEARS
(Does not include yards lost on sacks)
Run Pass Year aa
154 149 1986 Los Angeles Rams
145 139 2000 Cincinnati Bengals
167 157 2003 Baltimore Ravens
184 168 2006 Atlanta Falcons
172 162 2009 New York Jets
—Ian Allan
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