I believe these two teams have the best running games in the league. Both sport dominant offensive lines. And both have their own version of "Thunder and Lightning". Some information on them...

 

New York Giants (Ht, Wt, Age)

LT - David Diehl (6'5, 319, 29)

LG - Rich Seubert (6'3, 310, 30)

C - Shaun O'Hara (6'3, 303, 32)

RG - Chris Snee (6'3, 317, 27)

RT - Kareem McKenzie (6'6, 327, 30)

 

RB - Brandon Jacobs (6'4, 264, 27)

RB - Ahmad Bradshaw (5'9, 198, 23)

 

Pro Bowlers: Chris Snee, Shaun O'Hara

 

Tennessee Titans

LT - Michael Roos (6'7, 315, 26)

LG - Eugene Amano (6'3, 310, 27)

C - Kevin Mawae (6'4, 289, 38)

RG - Jake Scott (6'5, 295, 28)

RT - David Stewart (6'7, 318, 27)

 

RB - Chris Johnson (5'11, 200, 23)

RB - LenDale White (6'1, 235, 24)

 

Pro Bowlers: Michael Roos, Kevin Mawae, Chris Johnson

 

 

Brandon Jacobs rushed for 1089 yards (5.0 ypc) and 15 TD's in 13 games.

 

Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 355 yards (5.3 ypc) and 1 TD in 15 games last year. However, the G-Men had Derrick Ward in the #2 slot last year, so Bradshaw has yet to play a full season in that role. Perhaps a more accurate picture of what he's capable of in that role can be seen from the 2007 season when he played a larger role in the offense from Week 16 through the Super Bowl. In 5 games during that stretch, he compiled 359 yards (5.5 ypc) and 2 TD, including a 151 yard game with a TD on 17 carries. Project that production over 16 games and you're looking at 208-1149-6. Comparable to Ward's '08 season (182-1025-2). The difference, IMO, is Bradshaw's explosiveness and the change-of-pace he provides opposite Jacobs. I think he can be more effective than Ward in the #2 role in NY.

 

Chris Johnson rushed for 1228 yards (4.9 ypc) and 9 TD's as a rookie in 2008. He gashed Baltimore's vaunted defense in the playoffs last year with 72 yards and a TD on 11 carries before leaving with an ankle injury.

 

LenDale White rushed for 773 yards (3.9 ypc) and 15 TD's.

 

Overall team rushing stats (RB's only, WR and QB stats excluded)...

 

Giants: 471 Attempts, 2484 Yards, 5.3 Avg, 18 TD

Titans: 469 Attempts, 2086 Yards, 4.4 Avg, 24 TD

 

You can decide for yourselves what effect offensive philosophies and other personnel (Passing game and QB's) have on their respective rushing games and how much weight to give that.

 

But, my question is simple. After considering all of this, if you could choose between these two combinations of RB's and O-lines, who would you pick? Giants or Titans?

I like the Giants...the line is better overall, IMO. I also think that Jacobs is the best back of the four mentioned, so I believe the G-Men are the best running team of the two (and the best in the NFL).

^He's a beast for sure, but he has missed 8 games in the last two seasons.

It doesn't impaact whether or not he is better, just if he is more durable. If you had a choice of the four, I'm willing to bet you'd take Jacobs as well; yes?

I'll take the Vikings over both of them.

It doesn't impaact whether or not he is better, just if he is more durable. If you had a choice of the four, I'm willing to bet you'd take Jacobs as well; yes?

 

If we're living in a perfect world where no one gets hurt, there are very few RB's I'd take over Brandon Jacobs. None of them reside in Tennessee.

I'll take the Vikings over both of them.

I'm with you. Then I'd take the Titans, and then the Giants.

I'll take the Vikings over both of them.

 

Unfortunately, they aren't an option. :sssh:

 

Although, I should have included the Carolina Panthers in this as well. They have a great line and combo backfield. Just some short infor on the Panthers for the heck of it...

 

475 Attempts, 2379 Yards, 5.1 Avg, 28 TD

 

Ooops...forgot somebody.

I'm with you. Then I'd take the Titans, and then the Giants.

 

I was thinking more along the lines of combo backfields and great offensive lines.

 

1. The Vikings line, while certainly not bad, isn't on par with Tennessee and NY. And, they lost their 6-time Pro Bowl Center Matt Birk to Baltimore this off-season.

 

2. They have the most talented RB in the NFL. What did he get? 1700+ yards in '08? He'd be a virtual lock for 2000 yards in Tennessee or NY if he stayed healthy.

The top 4 running games IMO are the Falcons, Giants, Titans, and Vikings. The Panthers are right there too but the first 4 I mentioned do it consistently. The Giants have been in the top 8 in rushing at least for the past 4 years. The Titans have been in the top 5 or 10 for the past 3-4 years and the Vikings as well. Aside from 2007, the Falcons have been #1 or #2 in rushing.

 

I think the Giants could have the best O-line, simply because you can substitute almost any running back in there and they run the ball well and consistently. Tiki did it mostly behind a lot of the same guys that are there now, Jacobs does well, Ward did well here. I think Jacobs will have a 1200 or 1300 yard year this year (assuming he stays healthy) and I think Bradshaw will do 6-700 as well.

 

I also think the Titans have a good rushing O-line and very talented running backs as well. I'm not sure if there is a clear cut best...but there are 4-5 teams with dominant running games that stand out from the rest of the league IMO.

I'll take the Vikings over both of them.

 

Unfortunately, they aren't an option. :sssh:

 

Although, I should have included the Carolina Panthers in this as well. They have a great line and combo backfield. Just some short infor on the Panthers for the heck of it...

 

475 Attempts, 2379 Yards, 5.1 Avg, 28 TD

 

Ooops...forgot somebody.

 

Easily, the Vikings have the best back of the teams mentioned. Peterson is possibly the most talened back of all-time when you comine size, speed, quickqness, power, vison, etc.

 

The Giants have the best line. I still think I'd take the Titans or Panthers over their running games. Jacobs is good, but I think the Titans and Panthers have a better duo in the backfield, and run just as well. It's a flavor pick for me though as I just like the way the Titans and Panthers run teh ball. I think the Cowboys run game will be effective with the combination in their backfield, and with the added additon of have a good passing game.

 

But, back to the topic I'd take the Titans over the Giants run game because it's a virtual tie in my mind, I just prefer the way Tennessee runs the ball. If Johnson wasn't a one hit wonder, I think he is going to turn into a really good back.

It's close to a tie IMO. Giants have the better QB so the box isn't as packed. Giants have the better bruiser Tenn has the better homerun threat. I'd rather have NY's line and Tenn's backs. Like others have said I'll take AP over them all and honestly I think the 1-2 punch of Williams/Stewart are better than any of the other 1-2 punches. If you are going to go with a 3 headed monster then it's Dallas then Oak IMO.

Well, since I can't have the most talented (Vikings), I'll go with the Titans.

I like the Titans of the two, but probably take the Panthers as the best running attack in the NFL.

It's close to a tie IMO. Giants have the better QB so the box isn't as packed. Giants have the better bruiser Tenn has the better homerun threat. I'd rather have NY's line and Tenn's backs. Like others have said I'll take AP over them all and honestly I think the 1-2 punch of Williams/Stewart are better than any of the other 1-2 punches. If you are going to go with a 3 headed monster then it's Dallas then Oak IMO.

 

Oakland? Oakland? Dallas?

 

Dallas was 21st in rushing offense last year. Oakland was 10th. Neither have top elite running games.

 

I'm not sure how, with the offensive line included in the discussion, the Vikings are the clear cut #1. I think they have the best running back, but I don't think they have the best rushing game. The Giants, Panthers, Falcons and Ravens were all better last year.