In 2000 and 2001, Marshall Faulk showed fantasy drafters the impact of a high-volume three-down back with an explosive ceiling in touchdowns. He scored 47 times over 28 games with the St. Louis Rams while averaging 155 yards and 5.9 catches per game. Over the next five years, LaDainian Tomlinson (31), Shaun Alexander (28), and Priest Holmes (27) set NFL all-time records in touchdowns, but only one running back (Alvin Kamara – 2020) scored more than 20 times since 2006.
Faulk had a sensational three-game run in 2001 from Week 14 to 16 when he gained 522 yards with seven touchdowns and 18 catches. Over this span, Faulk averaged 37.4 fantasy points in PPR formats. Clinton Portis posted two difference-maker games in the fantasy postseason in 2002 (21/130/3 with three catches for 75 yards and one score) and 2003 (254 combined yards with five touchdowns and two catches).
Here’s a look at the top five running backs over the past 20 seasons in the fantasy postseason (Week 14 to Week 16 – Week 15 to 17 starting in 2021):
1. Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (2017)
Anyone winning an overall championship in 2017 had to have Gurley on their team. Over the first 12 games, he gained 1,502 combined yards with 11 touchdowns and 48 catches. After success in Week 14 (13/96/2 with three catches for 39 yards), Gurley posted back-to-back domination games in fantasy points (45.00 and 49.60) when he gained 456 combined yards with six touchdowns and 13 catches. His 123.10 fantasy points over three matchups created a massive edge over a three-week run.
2. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers (2003)
Over his 16 starts in 2003, Tomlinson gained 2,370 combined yards with 17 touchdowns and 100 catches, leading to 439 fantasy points in PPR formats. His play was exceptional from 2002 to 2007 (131 combined yards with 1.25 touchdowns and 4.2 catches per game). He gave his fantasy supporters a box-to-wire showing after three elite weeks in the postseason (530 combined yards with six touchdowns and 26 catches or 115.00 fantasy points). Tomlinson even finished the season with an electric game in Week 17 (31/243/2 with eight catches for 17 yards).
