Top 12 NFL RBs of 1975: Where Bills’ O.J. Simpson and Steelers’ Franco Harris rank on iconic list of backs

It is week 3 of the 2025 NFL season, which means that it is time to return to the future.

“The NFL Today” celebrates its 50th anniversary on Sunday, and CBS Sports rings on a special occasion with a stars affair: the broadcast of week 3 will feature Brent Musburger, “NFL Today” from 1975 to 1990, returning to co-hoster the show alongside James Brown, Nate Burleson, JJ Watt and Matt Ryan. The classic pre-match show will also include special guests, graphics and vintage music, as well as virtual recreation of the 1975 “NFL Today” set.

Top 12 of the 1975 NFL QB: Where Roger Staubach, Cowboys, Terry Bradshaw, are classified among all the elders?

Cody Benjamin

To celebrate the historic moment, we watched until the 1975 season to assess the best runners of the time. We have already paid tribute this week to some of the Games of all time,, legendary coaches And more of the time. Now it’s time to classify the best runners of the 1970, a list that includes three backs that are currently registered in the Professional Football Temple. The Walter Payton renowned temple did not fall for the list, but it was only its recruited season. He would continue to have one of the best careers for a ball carrier.

12. Robert Newhouse (Cowboys)

During her first year as a star back, Newhouse played a key role in the Cowboys surprise race at the Super Bowl. In the last two weeks of the regular season, Newhouse has run for 198 yards and on average 5.5 yards per race while helping Dallas to get a place in the playoffs.

11. Lawrence McCutchen (Rams)

One of the first backs of the NFL in the 1970s, McCutchen obtained its third of the five of Pro Bowl’s heads in 1975. Although it was not one of its best regular seasons, McCutchen made the history of the eliminatory series by becoming the first NFL player to rush for more than 200 meters in a match of elimination series. Its 202 yards propelled the Rams to a 35-23 victory against the cardinals in the first round of the playoffs.

10. Terry Metcalf (Cardinals)

One of the best offensive weapons in the NFL this season, Metcalf has marked any possible way this season for an offensive player. He also set a season record in a single NFL season with 2,462 total infraction yards.

As a ball carrier, Metcalf worked for 816 yards and nine affected while making an average of 4.9 yards per race. Against the cowboys of the week 13, Metcalf ran for 86 yards (in just 14 races) and caught a touch of 30 yards while the Arizona beat Dallas en route to win the title NFC East.

9. Mike Thomas (Washington)

The offensive recruit of the year in 1975, Thomas, finished 10th in the league by rushing despite the start of 10 games. He also finished third on the team this season in receptions (40), receiving yards 483) and receptions from Touché (three).

8. Dave Hampton (Falcons)

It is difficult to imagine a happier rusher of 1,000 yards in the history of the NFL than Hampton. During week 14 of the 1972 season, Hampton received a standing ovation after having become the first player of the Falcons to rush for more than 1,000 yards. He was then attacked for a defeat of six yards and finished the season with 995 yards. Hampton then managed to reach 1,000 yards the following season.

After missing five games during the 1974 season due to an injury, Hampton obtained his coveted season of 1,000 yards in 1975, winning 1,002 yards on the way to win the player of the year of the year of the NFL.

7. John Riggins (Jets)

Believe it or not, the 1975 season was the only year that Riggins was appointed to Pro Bowl. Future Temple of Famer, Riggins broke the 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in the season. He also caught 30 passes while making an average of 12.1 yards per catch. Riggins did it all in a jets team that went 3-11.

6. Jim Otis (Cardinaux)

Otis added a balance to the “Air Coryell” offensive in Saint-Louis while helping the cardinals to win their second consecutive division title on the cowboys. He finished fourth in the NFL by rushing despite the fact of not having flowed more than 30 yards.

5. Greg Pruitt (Browns)

Pruitt was appointed to Pro Bowl the previous two years for its prowess on special teams. He made the pro Bowl the following two seasons after being established as one of the first backs of the league. Pruitt, however, did not receive a sign of the pro Bowl in 1975 despite the end of the NFL in the precipitation and an average of 4.9 yards by Carry very solid.

The match in small priitt groups as a ball carrier took place in the week 13, when he scolded 214 yards and three affected in a victory against the chiefs. This performance preceded its virtuoso effort three weeks earlier in a victory over Bengals.

4. Chuck Foreman (Vikings)

The versatile return of Minnesota finished fourth in the MVP vote of the League. In addition to being the fifth rusher of the League this season, Foreman led the whole NFL with 73 receptions. He also finished third in the NFL with 13 hit points. He also directed the league in escaped, however, which is the main reason why it was not a higher spot on this list.

3. Lydell Mitchell (colts)

The 1975 season was an escape for Mitchell and the colts. This season has seen Mitchell finish third in the NFL by rushing and second in receptions. Mitchell also scored 11 courses in the field while helping the colts to go from 2 to 12 years in 1974 to 10-4 and a division title in 1975.

2. Franco Harris (Steelers)

In addition to rushing for a career summit of 1,246 yards, Harris also equaled his summit in a medium -sized yoke (4.8) in 1975. He finished the regular season with three consecutive performances of 100 yards before scolding for 153 yards and a score during the victory of the plans of the divisional turn of Pittsburgh against Baltimore. Harris experienced a big hit in the victory of the following week against Oakland and was the main rusher in the Steelers victory over the Cowboys of the Super Bowl X.

1. OJ Simpson (Bills)

The 1,817 yards on the ground of Simpson were nearly 600 yards on the ground more than the second rusher in the league. In addition to winning its fourth ground title in five years, Simpson has also led the NFL this season during the touch (16) and an average of yards per car (5.5). He also recorded the longest race of the season, a score of 88 yards against the defense of the steeled Steelers which was part of a day of 227 yards.