I am not a fan of Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley. In general, I have been down on those guys. But I will concede that they’ve gotten plenty of work around the goal line.
There are only five players in the league who’ve handled the ball on more than 10 running plays inside the 5-yard line, and these veteran backs are in that group. Elliott has a league-high 17 such carries (but has scored on only 4 of them). Gurley has carried 13 times for 19 yards and 6 TDs inside the 5-yard line, which are identical numbers as Derrick Henry.
The most surprising offense in my eyes has been Washington’s. That’s a lesser team, as we were all expecting all along. But Washington has had 23 running plays inside the 5, the 2nd-highest total in the league. That’s helped fuel Antonio Gibson’s solid touchdown numbers. The other teams with more than 20 running plays inside the 5 are all ones you would expect: Cowboys, Rams, Patriots, Vikings.
The Jets rank last in this chart, which is exactly what you would think. Adam Gase’s offenses tend top rank last or close to last in this area every year.
On these team numbers, they don’t include the game played last night. And the scores include both touchdowns and 2-point conversions (EZ = end zone).
| RUSHING INSIDE THE 5 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Att | Yds | Avg | EZ |
| Dallas | 24 | 22 | .92 | 10 |
| Washington | 23 | 30 | 1.30 | 9 |
| LA Rams | 22 | 33 | 1.50 | 13 |
| New England | 22 | 37 | 1.68 | 12 |
| Minnesota | 22 | 37 | 1.68 | 11 |
| Miami | 20 | 18 | .90 | 9 |
| Buffalo | 20 | 22 | 1.10 | 8 |
| Pittsburgh | 19 | 19 | 1.00 | 8 |
| Indianapolis | 18 | 25 | 1.39 | 10 |
| Green Bay | 18 | 23 | 1.28 | 7 |
| New Orleans | 17 | 20 | 1.18 | 9 |
| Philadelphia | 16 | 14 | .88 | 7 |
| Atlanta | 16 | 20 | 1.25 | 6 |
| Seattle | 16 | 18 | 1.13 | 6 |
| Tampa Bay | 15 | 19 | 1.27 | 7 |
| Cincinnati | 15 | 5 | .33 | 4 |
| Arizona | 14 | 9 | .64 | 8 |
| Carolina | 14 | 20 | 1.43 | 8 |
| Tennessee | 14 | 20 | 1.43 | 7 |
| San Francisco | 13 | 15 | 1.15 | 7 |
| LA Chargers | 13 | 21 | 1.62 | 5 |
| NY Giants | 12 | 19 | 1.58 | 8 |
| Houston | 12 | 3 | .25 | 4 |
| Detroit | 11 | 15 | 1.36 | 6 |
| Denver | 11 | 14 | 1.27 | 4 |
| Kansas City | 11 | 7 | .64 | 3 |
| Baltimore | 10 | 8 | .80 | 5 |
| Cleveland | 10 | 9 | .90 | 4 |
| Chicago | 10 | 8 | .80 | 3 |
| Las Vegas | 9 | 13 | 1.44 | 3 |
| Jacksonville | 4 | 8 | 2.00 | 4 |
| NY Jets | 2 | 7 | 3.50 | 2 |
For individual players, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Joe Mixon have been the futility leaders. CEH has run the ball 7 times inside the 5 and hasn’t scored on any of those plays. Mixon is 0 for 5.
On this one, I’ve added a final column showing the team numbers (Att-Yds-EZ) so you can see how much of his own offense each player is accounting for. I’m listing all 123 players who’ve carried the ball inside the 5, and I’ve got the guys with the most carries listed first.
| RUSHING INSIDE THE 5-YARD LINE | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Player | Att | Yds | Avg | EZ | Pct | Team |
| DAL | E.Elliott | 17 | 13 | .76 | 4 | 24% | 24-22-10 |
| MIN | D.Cook | 16 | 32 | 2.00 | 10 | 63% | 22-37-11 |
| NE | C.Newton | 16 | 27 | 1.69 | 8 | 50% | 22-37-12 |
| TEN | D.Henry | 13 | 19 | 1.46 | 6 | 46% | 14-20-7 |
| ATL | T.Gurley | 13 | 19 | 1.46 | 6 | 46% | 16-20-6 |
| LAR | D.Henderson | 10 | 12 | 1.20 | 4 | 40% | 22-33-13 |
| NO | A.Kamara | 9 | 11 | 1.22 | 6 | 67% | 17-20-9 |
| WAS | A.Gibson | 9 | 19 | 2.11 | 5 | 56% | 23-30-9 |
| PIT | J.Conner | 9 | 14 | 1.56 | 4 | 44% | 19-19-8 |
| MIA | J.Howard | 9 | 6 | .67 | 4 | 44% | 20-18-9 |
| IND | J.Taylor | 9 | 13 | 1.44 | 4 | 44% | 18-25-10 |
| LV | J.Jacobs | 9 | 13 | 1.44 | 3 | 33% | 9-13-3 |
| CHI | D.Montgomery | 9 | 7 | .78 | 2 | 22% | 10-8-3 |
| HST | Da.Johnson | 9 | 3 | .33 | 2 | 22% | 12-3-4 |
| BUF | J.Allen | 8 | 8 | 1.00 | 5 | 63% | 20-22-8 |
| GB | A.Jones | 8 | 11 | 1.38 | 3 | 38% | 18-23-7 |
| GB | J.Williams | 8 | 5 | .63 | 3 | 38% | 18-23-7 |
| TB | R.Jones | 8 | 12 | 1.50 | 3 | 38% | 15-19-7 |
| ARZ | K.Murray | 7 | 7 | 1.00 | 5 | 71% | 14-9-8 |
| PHI | M.Sanders | 7 | 7 | 1.00 | 3 | 43% | 16-14-7 |
| WAS | P.Barber | 7 | 5 | .71 | 2 | 29% | 23-30-9 |
| BUF | Z.Moss | 7 | 12 | 1.71 | 2 | 29% | 20-22-8 |
| KC | C.Edwards-Helaire | 7 | -3 | -.43 | 0 | 0% | 11-7-3 |
| NYG | W.Gallman | 6 | 9 | 1.50 | 5 | 83% | 12-19-8 |
| LAR | M.Brown | 6 | 8 | 1.33 | 4 | 67% | 22-33-13 |
| ARZ | K.Drake | 6 | 3 | .50 | 3 | 50% | 14-9-8 |
| SEA | C.Carson | 6 | 8 | 1.33 | 2 | 33% | 16-18-6 |
| BLT | G.Edwards | 6 | 2 | .33 | 2 | 33% | 10-8-5 |
| MIA | M.Gaskin | 6 | 6 | 1.00 | 2 | 33% | 20-18-9 |
| LAC | J.Kelley | 6 | 6 | 1.00 | 1 | 17% | 13-21-5 |
| DAL | D.Prescott | 5 | 4 | .80 | 4 | 80% | 24-22-10 |
| PHI | C.Wentz | 5 | 3 | .60 | 3 | 60% | 16-14-7 |
| DET | D.Swift | 5 | 8 | 1.60 | 3 | 60% | 11-15-6 |
| DEN | M.Gordon | 5 | 9 | 1.80 | 3 | 60% | 11-14-4 |
| PIT | B.Snell | 5 | 2 | .40 | 2 | 40% | 19-19-8 |
| SEA | D.Dallas | 5 | 6 | 1.20 | 2 | 40% | 16-18-6 |
| CIN | J.Burrow | 5 | -3 | -.60 | 2 | 40% | 15-5-4 |
| CLV | K.Hunt | 5 | 6 | 1.20 | 2 | 40% | 10-9-4 |
| CAR | M.Davis | 5 | 1 | .20 | 2 | 40% | 14-20-8 |
| CIN | J.Mixon | 5 | 1 | .20 | 0 | 0% | 15-5-4 |
| JAX | J.Robinson | 4 | 8 | 2.00 | 4 | 100% | 4-8-4 |
| CAR | C.McCaffrey | 4 | 5 | 1.25 | 3 | 75% | 14-20-8 |
| LAC | J.Herbert | 4 | 10 | 2.50 | 3 | 75% | 13-21-5 |
| SF | J.McKinnon | 4 | 1 | .25 | 3 | 75% | 13-15-7 |
| NE | R.Burkhead | 4 | 8 | 2.00 | 3 | 75% | 22-37-12 |
| DET | A.Peterson | 4 | 2 | .50 | 2 | 50% | 11-15-6 |
| MIN | A.Mattison | 4 | 6 | 1.50 | 1 | 25% | 22-37-11 |
| WAS | D.Haskins | 4 | 2 | .50 | 1 | 25% | 23-30-9 |
| BUF | D.Singletary | 4 | 1 | .25 | 1 | 25% | 20-22-8 |
| TB | L.Fournette | 4 | 3 | .75 | 1 | 25% | 15-19-7 |
| CLV | N.Chubb | 4 | 1 | .25 | 1 | 25% | 10-9-4 |
| TB | T.Brady | 3 | 4 | 1.33 | 3 | 100% | 15-19-7 |
| PIT | C.Claypool | 3 | 2 | .67 | 2 | 67% | 19-19-8 |
| IND | J.Wilkins | 3 | 3 | 1.00 | 2 | 67% | 18-25-10 |
| MIA | R.Fitzpatrick | 3 | 3 | 1.00 | 2 | 67% | 20-18-9 |
| CAR | T.Bridgewater | 3 | 8 | 2.67 | 2 | 67% | 14-20-8 |
| CIN | G.Bernard | 3 | 7 | 2.33 | 1 | 33% | 15-5-4 |
| SF | J.Hasty | 3 | 5 | 1.67 | 1 | 33% | 13-15-7 |
| NO | L.Murray | 3 | 4 | 1.33 | 1 | 33% | 17-20-9 |
| IND | N.Hines | 3 | 4 | 1.33 | 1 | 33% | 18-25-10 |
| DEN | P.Lindsay | 3 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 11-14-4 |
| NO | D.Brees | 2 | 2 | 1.00 | 2 | 100% | 17-20-9 |
| BLT | J.Dobbins | 2 | 5 | 2.50 | 2 | 100% | 10-8-5 |
| LAR | J.Goff | 2 | 3 | 1.50 | 2 | 100% | 22-33-13 |
| SF | J.Wilson | 2 | 5 | 2.50 | 2 | 100% | 13-15-7 |
| KC | P.Mahomes | 2 | 6 | 3.00 | 2 | 100% | 11-7-3 |
| LAR | R.Woods | 2 | 9 | 4.50 | 2 | 100% | 22-33-13 |
| IND | T.Burton | 2 | 3 | 1.50 | 2 | 100% | 18-25-10 |
| NYG | D.Lewis | 2 | 2 | 1.00 | 1 | 50% | 12-19-8 |
| DEN | D.Lock | 2 | 5 | 2.50 | 1 | 50% | 11-14-4 |
| HST | D.Watson | 2 | -1 | -.50 | 1 | 50% | 12-3-4 |
| WAS | J.McKissic | 2 | 4 | 2.00 | 1 | 50% | 23-30-9 |
| LAC | K.Ballage | 2 | 5 | 2.50 | 1 | 50% | 13-21-5 |
| DET | K.Johnson | 2 | 5 | 2.50 | 1 | 50% | 11-15-6 |
| BLT | M.Ingram | 2 | 1 | .50 | 1 | 50% | 10-8-5 |
| SEA | R.Wilson | 2 | 2 | 1.00 | 1 | 50% | 16-18-6 |
| CIN | S.Perine | 2 | 0 | .00 | 1 | 50% | 15-5-4 |
| ATL | B.Hill | 2 | 3 | 1.50 | 0 | 0% | 16-20-6 |
| PHI | J.Hurts | 2 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 16-14-7 |
| SF | R.Mostert | 2 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 13-15-7 |
| NO | T.Hill | 2 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 17-20-9 |
| SEA | T.Homer | 2 | 1 | .50 | 0 | 0% | 16-18-6 |
| DAL | A.Cooper | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 1 | 100% | 24-22-10 |
| GB | A.Rodgers | 1 | 5 | 5.00 | 1 | 100% | 18-23-7 |
| PHI | C.Clement | 1 | 5 | 5.00 | 1 | 100% | 16-14-7 |
| KC | C.Henne | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 11-7-3 |
| SEA | C.Hyde | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 16-18-6 |
| CAR | C.Samuel | 1 | 5 | 5.00 | 1 | 100% | 14-20-8 |
| NYG | D.Freeman | 1 | 4 | 4.00 | 1 | 100% | 12-19-8 |
| HST | Du.Johnson | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 12-3-4 |
| NYG | E.Engram | 1 | 3 | 3.00 | 1 | 100% | 12-19-8 |
| LAR | G.Everett | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 1 | 100% | 22-33-13 |
| NYJ | J.Adams | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 1 | 100% | 2-7-2 |
| IND | J.Brissett | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 1 | 100% | 18-25-10 |
| TEN | J.Smith | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 14-20-7 |
| SF | K.Juszczyk | 1 | 4 | 4.00 | 1 | 100% | 13-15-7 |
| NYJ | L.Perine | 1 | 5 | 5.00 | 1 | 100% | 2-7-2 |
| CHI | N.Foles | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 10-8-3 |
| MIA | S.Ahmed | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 20-18-9 |
| CLV | S.Carlson | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 1 | 100% | 10-9-4 |
| NE | S.Michel | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100% | 22-37-12 |
| DAL | T.Pollard | 1 | 3 | 3.00 | 1 | 100% | 24-22-10 |
| PIT | B.Roethlisberger | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 0 | 0% | 19-19-8 |
| PHI | B.Scott | 1 | -1 | -1.00 | 0 | 0% | 16-14-7 |
| LAR | C.Akers | 1 | -1 | -1.00 | 0 | 0% | 22-33-13 |
| ARZ | C.Edmonds | 1 | -1 | -1.00 | 0 | 0% | 14-9-8 |
| NE | D.Harris | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 0 | 0% | 22-37-12 |
| KC | D.Washington | 1 | 3 | 3.00 | 0 | 0% | 11-7-3 |
| NYG | E.Penny | 1 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 12-19-8 |
| ATL | I.Smith | 1 | -2 | -2.00 | 0 | 0% | 16-20-6 |
| NO | J.Winston | 1 | 3 | 3.00 | 0 | 0% | 17-20-9 |
| WAS | K.Allen | 1 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 23-30-9 |
| MIN | K.Cousins | 1 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 22-37-11 |
| MIN | M.Boone | 1 | -1 | -1.00 | 0 | 0% | 22-37-11 |
| SF | N.Mullens | 1 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 13-15-7 |
| DEN | R.Freeman | 1 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 11-14-4 |
| PIT | R.McCloud | 1 | -1 | -1.00 | 0 | 0% | 19-19-8 |
| NYG | S.Barkley | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 0 | 0% | 12-19-8 |
| GB | T.Ervin | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 0 | 0% | 18-23-7 |
| MIA | T.Tagovailoa | 1 | 2 | 2.00 | 0 | 0% | 20-18-9 |
| LAC | T.Taylor | 1 | 0 | .00 | 0 | 0% | 13-21-5 |
| BUF | T.Yeldon | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 0 | 0% | 20-22-8 |
| CAR | A.Armah | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 0 | 0% | 14-20-8 |
—Ian Allan