The Seahawks and Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl, and they’ll do so with two of the most improved running games in the league. Both are running the ball a lot better now than they were early in the year.
Only four teams averaged over 35 more rushing yards in the second half of the season, and two of them are these Super Bowl teams. Seattle averaged 141 rushing yards in the second half of the season – 37 more than in its first eight games. The Patriots averaged 148 rushing yards in its final eight games – 35 more than in the first half of the year.
Teams, of course, play an odd number of games. But there’s an even 18 weeks, so I used Weeks 1-9 as the first half of the season, and Weeks 10-18 as the second half.
| RUSHING: 1st v. 2nd half of season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | 1st H | 2nd H | Diff |
| Miami | 97 | 146 | 49 |
| Baltimore | 136 | 175 | 40 |
| Seattle | 104 | 141 | 37 |
| New England | 112 | 148 | 35 |
| Cincinnati | 79 | 110 | 31 |
| Tampa Bay | 98 | 129 | 31 |
| Pittsburgh | 87 | 118 | 30 |
| LA Rams | 112 | 140 | 28 |
| Tennessee | 81 | 107 | 26 |
| NY Giants | 118 | 142 | 24 |
| San Francisco | 97 | 118 | 21 |
| Atlanta | 117 | 134 | 17 |
| Minnesota | 100 | 116 | 16 |
| Cleveland | 90 | 104 | 14 |
| Green Bay | 113 | 126 | 13 |
| Dallas | 121 | 131 | 11 |
| New Orleans | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| Philadelphia | 112 | 122 | 10 |
| Houston | 109 | 109 | 0 |
| Chicago | 145 | 144 | -1 |
| Buffalo | 162 | 158 | -4 |
| LA Chargers | 124 | 119 | -5 |
| Detroit | 125 | 116 | -10 |
| Washington | 140 | 129 | -11 |
| Indianapolis | 126 | 110 | -16 |
| Jacksonville | 124 | 107 | -16 |
| Las Vegas | 89 | 67 | -22 |
| Kansas City | 121 | 90 | -31 |
| Denver | 134 | 102 | -32 |
| Arizona | 112 | 77 | -35 |
| NY Jets | 144 | 105 | -38 |
| Carolina | 140 | 90 | -50 |
These teams not only ran for more yards, they did so with more efficiency. New England averaged 5.1 yards per carry in the second half of the season – 1.2 more than in its first eight games. Seattle, meanwhile, also averaged almost a yard more per carry. Only four teams averaged over .80 more per carry, and these were two of them.
Patriots also were also the most improved team in terms of rushing touchdowns (14 in their final 8 games, compared to only 8 in their first nine). Seattle was essentially unchanged in rushing touchdowns, finishing with 19 in the 17 regular-season games (plus 4 more in two playoff games).
The turnaround in New England has been the more surprising of the two. Early in the season, recall, Rhamondre Stevenson looked like he might fumble his way onto the bench, while TreVeyon Henderson was struggling to get on the field. Antonio Gibson averaged 6 carries in a four-game stretch before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
Seattle lost half of its one-two punch, with Zach Charbonnet suffering a similar injury against the 49ers. He finished with better overall numbers than Kenneth Walker in nine of their final 14 regular season games. But that shouldn’t set them back too much unless Walker gets hurt.
Walker historically has problems staying healthy, but at this point they just need him for one game.
George Holani is Seattle’s backup now, and he’ll rotate in some, particularly in obvious passing situations. He was on the field for 34 percent of their plays on Sunday. Holani carried 3 times for 4 yards on Sunday and gained only 73 yards on 22 carries in the regular season, but he might be an average third-string back. He was very good in the preseason, carrying 12 times for 110 yards in two games.
Both offenses in the Super Bowl will be facing tough run defenses. Seattle in the regular season ranked 3rd in run defense, while New England ranked 6th.
—Ian Allan
