RB Index, Week 9: NFL’s superstar running backs reinforce position’s value; Travis Etienne has arrived

2022 stats: 8 games | 149 att | 841 rush yds | 5.6 ypc | 10 rush TD | 10 rec | 70 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Chubb led the Browns to victory on Halloween night — a win that snapped Cleveland’s four-game skid — gashing the Bengals for two scores and more than 100 rushing yards. The NFL’s rushing leader has carried this offense through the first couple months of the season and deserves the rest of this week’s bye.

2022 stats: 7 games | 166 att | 755 rush yds | 4.6 ypc | 7 rush TD | 14 rec | 140 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Henry was simply unstoppable Sunday against the Texans, but what’s new? He rushed 32 times for 219 yards, averaging an eye-opening 6.8 yards per carry, and notched two scores. Tennessee has now won five straight behind Henry’s stellar play, and he’ll have to be equally great this Sunday night if the Titans are to knock off the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

2022 stats: 8 games | 111 att | 525 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 3 rush TD | 43 rec | 356 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

We’ve come to expect McCaffrey to score as a rusher and receiver, but throwing a touchdown pass, too? And doing all three in the same game?! The monstrous effort vaulted McCaffrey up four spots on this list. At this rate, he could ascend even further — though he’ll need Chubb and Henry’s production to dip. 

2022 stats: 8 games | 163 att | 779 rush yds | 4.8 ypc | 5 rush TD | 28 rec | 189 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Barkley was bottled up by the Seahawks’ defense for most of the game, as he rushed for 53 yards (while scoring the Giants’ only TD) on 20 attempts. Now in a much-deserved off week, Barkley’s averaging a career-best 97.4 rush yards per game.

2022 stats: 7 games | 121 att | 676 rush yds | 5.6 ypc | 6 rush TD | 22 rec | 152 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Jacobs cooled off in Week 8 after three straight monster performances, but it wasn’t just him. The Raiders’ offense was ice cold, getting completely shut out in New Orleans. The fourth-year back looks to turn things around against an above-average Jaguars run defense in Week 9.

2022 stats: 7 games | 84 att | 380 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 5 rush TD | 53 rec | 357 rec yds | 3 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Ekeler has been crushing it as a pass catcher for a Chargers team that seems to be losing receivers to injury by the minute. With nearly as many yards receiving as rushing this season, Ekeler has a chance to significantly add to both totals this Sunday. Fresh off a bye, the Bolts face a struggling Falcons defense that ranks 31st in the NFL.

2022 stats: 7 games | 121 att | 539 rush yds | 4.5 ypc | 3 rush TD | 20 rec | 98 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

While he notched his first receiving touchdown in quasi-garbage time, Pierce was held to 35 rushing yards by the Titans’ stout run defense. The good news: He has a quick turnaround to forget about that underwhelming effort, with the Texans hosting Thursday Night Football. The bad news: The Texans face the undefeated Eagles, who routinely win the time-of-possession battle and force opponents to pass in catch-up mode.

2022 stats: 8 games | 92 att | 571 rush yds | 6.2 ypc | 2 rush TD | 17 rec | 157 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 1 fumble lost

Etienne climbs all the way to No. 8 after another strong performance on the ground. He gashed the Broncos for 156 rush yards (at 6.5 yards per carry) and a TD in a loss at Wembley Stadium. Sunday will be a nice test for the young runner, as the Jaguars host a Raiders D that ranks 10th against the run. If he can put together another impressive outing, there’s a chance Jacksonville gets back in the win column for the first time since Week 3.

2022 stats: 7 games | 114 att | 561 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 5 rush TD | 17 rec | 110 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 1 fumble lost

Like Etienne, Cook moves up in my rankings after a fine Week 8 performance, in which the Vikings back averaged more than 5 yards per carry for the third straight game. Cook can build off last week in Sunday’s game against a Commanders defense that’s allowing more than 120 rush yards per game.

2022 stats: 7 games | 85 att | 461 rush yds | 5.2 ypc | 5 rush TD | 9 rec | 28 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Walker was kept in check last week, carrying the ball 18 times for just 51 yards — easily the lowest total of his three starts. More importantly, though, Walker scored on a dynamic 16-yard run with 5 minutes left in the game to help Seattle slam the door on the Giants and secure its place atop the NFC West.

2022 stats: 8 games | 114 att | 558 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 4 rush TD | 32 rec | 217 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Despite Damien Harris‘ return from a hamstring issue, Stevenson continues to rock steady. He had 16 carries for 71 yards against the Jets and led the Patriots with a career-high 72 receiving yards on seven grabs. I love seeing Stevenson’s role expand in his second season.

2022 stats: 7 games | 114 att | 563 rush yds | 4.9 ypc | 5 rush TD | 11 rec | 42 rec yds | 0 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Even with Jalen Hurts dominating for Philly as both a passer and rusher, Sanders is still tied for seventh in rushing yards and has the opportunity to climb back into the top 10 of this list with the Eagles facing the NFL’s worst run defense in Houston on Thursday night.

2022 stats: 8 games | 98 att | 575 rush yds | 5.9 ypc | 1 rush TD | 30 rec | 176 rec yds | 3 rec TD | 1 fumble lost

Despite a large deficit, the Packers stayed true to their game plan against the Bills and allowed Jones to rush for 143 yards on 20 carries (both season highs). He, like Sanders, will face a putrid run defense when the Packers visit the Lions on Sunday, setting up a perfect opportunity to help Green Bay get back in the win column after four straight losses.

2022 stats: 6 games | 95 att | 413 rush yds | 4.4 ypc | 1 rush TD | 33 rec | 287 rec yds | 2 rec TD | 2 fumbles lost

I have to apologize for sleeping on Kamara, who enters these rankings for the first time this season. As I mentioned at the top of this space, he balled in last week’s big win over Las Vegas, but he’s now logged four straight games with 100-plus scrimmage yards. With so many injuries plaguing the Saints’ offense, Kamara has been a bright spot, quietly leading all running backs in touches (99) and scrimmage yards (581) since Week 5.

2022 stats: 8 games | 91 att | 563 rush yds | 6.2 ypc | 4 rush TD | 6 rec | 62 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost

Tied for seventh in the NFL in rushing yards this season, Herbert re-enters this list after being absent from it for the past three weeks. Against the Cowboys, Herbert was explosive and powerful in averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Though David Montgomery has received one more carry than Herbert this season, the latter is outgaining the former by 2.3 yards per attempt and has two more rush TDs.