The 5 Most Valuable NFL Rushing Seasons Since 2000
Priest Holmes, 2002
Season: 2002
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Rushing NEP: 53.37
Success Rate: 50.16%
| G | ATT | YDS | Y/G | AVG | TD | FUML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 313 | 1,615 | 115.4 | 5.2 | 21 | 1 |
The Chiefs team in 2002, coached by Dick Vermeil and coordinated by Al Saunders topped the league in points scored (467 points) that year. Priest Holmes would lead the charge for Kansas City, with his 24 touchdowns accounting for nearly half of the team's scores on offense that season. In terms of both traditional as well as advanced metrics, this would also be Holmes' best rushing season in the NFL as he recorded 1,615 yards on the ground and produced a Rushing NEP of 53.37 despite only playing 14 games that year.
Not surprisingly, as a result of his outstanding contributions to the Chiefs on the ground, Holmes would find himself the holder of numerous accolades that season including his second of three consecutive First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, and an AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Yet, in spite of Priest's contributions on the field, this team succumbed to the league's second toughest strength of schedule and ended the year with a disappointing .500 record, due in part to a porous defense that gave up the fifth most points in the league (399 points).
Holmes' performance in 2002 holds the distinction of being the only one on our list in which his team failed to make the playoffs. Indeed, at 8-8 the Chiefs were tied for dead last in the AFC West that year.
