Which Run Game Is the Most Deadly?

When you look at these teams three of them prefer to pass, whether it be because of personnel or the coach's philosophy, but the three of them are much more prone to throw the ball and find themselves in more of a comfortable place. The Jets would be the one exception as they are trying to control the ball, the clock, the tempo, and keep their elite defense fresh. The other three do rely on the run though, the Steelers rely on Mendenhall much like the Jets do their backs, they just fall into the group with a great quarterback that is preferred over the run game. Packers and Bears are more in the line of business of opening up the passing game with their run, trying to keep the defense honest. With that being said, how do you rank these teams with their run games.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers running game is extremely dangerous and effective. Rashard Mendenhall is a young running back that in the next few years can grow into the tier of the top running backs in the league. This year he was able to lead Pittsburgh to a 3-1 record when Roethlisberger was out due to suspension, with the one loss being to the Baltimore Ravens.

This year he finished seventh in the league in yards, gaining 1,273 yards and averaging just under 80 yards a game. He also finished tied for second with 13 rushing touchdowns. Only thing that is a negative in his play this year might have been the number of carries to gain those yards, as he averaged less than four yards per carry (second lowest of the top 10 in overall rushing yards).

Mendenhall puts the Steelers run game at the top with his ability to run well in short yardage and goaline situations, as well as his long run ability. Mendenhall finished fifth in the league with 11 runs over 20 yards. The Steelers also have a great change of pace back in Mewelde Moore and another short yardage back with a high success rate in Isaac Redman. They have the overall best running back, and the overall best running game remaining with Moore and Redman being able to come in and get the job done as well.

2. New York Jets

The Jets really rely on their running game, and that attention that they pay to it has made it a really good one, and the second best of the teams remaining. They have two different styles of running backs, and both of them, especially in the playoffs, have been able to be effective.

With LaDanian Tomlinson they have that scat back, and the veteran that they are able to trust. He is really strong with the ball, rarely fumbles, and knows where the holes are going to be, and how to then read the blocks well.

Shonn Greene is that bruiser back that they can bring in, and he is also really good at reading his blocks. He seems to get better as the season goes along, and he is playing his best football right now in the playoffs, much like last year when he was the only back with over 300 yards in the playoffs, and averaged nearly six yards a carry. He also replicated his run that crushed the San Diego Chargers last year with the game clinching run against the Patriots on Sunday.

The two Jets running backs are currently over 100 yards in the playoffs, they are two of the four. They are both averaging over four yards a carry, and each have scored at least once. The Jets have the most balanced backfield with these two, and they are both capable of getting the job done.

3. Green Bay Packers

The Packers sneak their way into the third spot because of the emergence of rookie James Starks, and having maybe the best of the short yardage backs still in the playoffs in halfback John Kuhn. Starks had an injury plagued regular season, but now healthy has really stepped it up for the Packers, and made them as balanced, and maybe as dangerous, as they have been all year.

Starks has shown that he has a good burst, and is very shifty. He reads his blocks incredibly well, and also has good patience in setting up his blocks. He was able to really help the Packers control the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles when he ran for 125 yards. He is leading the postseason in rushing yards with an average of over 94 yards in the two games, with the next closest yard total being 43 yards away (or one off of Chester Taylor's playoff total).

Starks, along with the burly Kuhn and his ability to run in between the tackles and in short yardage situations, have given the Packers a nice sense of balance for the seemingly unstoppable of late Aaron Rodgers. The pressure they are putting on the defense, and taking off of Rodgers makes the Packers favorites going into Chicago.

4. Chicago Bears

The Bears fall in at fourth because of the balance they can get from their two runners, much like the Jets but on a smaller scale. The Bears are led by Mike Martz, who has decided to run the ball more, and they have done a decent job with it. With Matt Forte and Chester Taylor they have two guys that can really break one loose at any time. Taylor has really come in as a free agent and shown that he is not only a third down back like he was in Minnesota, but he is also an above average short yardage back, especially for his size.

Forte is a back that is great in the passing game because of his speed, quickness and elusiveness and he also brings that to the running game which makes him so dangerous. The problem with Forte is those long bursts have not really been coming, and he is better in the passing game. Taylor too is better out of the backfield, and though he has done well as a runner this year, Forte is the lead back and just does not bring the consistency of the other three teams. Though the Bears run the ball more under Martz now, it really is still just a way of keeping the defense honest.