Running Backs Can Still Win Games in the NFL

We hear it all the time that the NFL is a passing league now.  Hard to argue with this, especially when you look at statistics and the continued devaluing of running backs in the draft and free agency.  But if you watch the playoffs this year, you will notice teams that do not take the running game for granted.  Saturday provided two of the best examples of teams still winning on the ground.

In the windy, rainy conditions of the Seattle Seahawks' matchup against the New Orleans Saints, quarterback Russell Wilson struggled to get much going.  He went 9-18 for 103 yards and no touchdowns.  Despite this, the Seahawks controlled the game, thanks in part to a sensational performance from running back Marshawn Lynch.  Lynch ran for 140 yards on 28 carries, and had touchdown runs of 15 and 31 yards.  His vintage "Beast Mode" runs were on full display, and the Seattle fans showed their appreciation by raining Skittles on the feild after each score.  Lych got a lot of help from a great defensive performance by Richard Sherman and company, but his consistent running also kept Drew Brees off the field for most of the game.

Lynch's performance should come as no surprise.  He has been one of the best backs in the NFL for several seasons now.  Also, Seattle has won games this way all year.  In the other game from Saturday, most people were expecting passing clinic between the New England Patriots' Tom Brady and the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck.  Instead, the Patriots dominated the game behind running back LeGarrette Blount's 166 yards and four touchdowns.  It had to be one of the most remakable playoff performances by a running back in quite some time.  Blount was unstoppable, especially on short-yard situations.  Tom Brady is a future Hall-of-Famer and one of the best postseason quarterbacks of all time, but I'm sure he appreciated Blount's perormance as much as anyone else, allowing him and the rest of the Pats to cruise to the AFC title game.

In Suday's games, look for some more running backs who could get into the action.  Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers and DeAngelo Williams of the Caroina Panthers will both be huge assets when these two teams face off in the afternoon.  Denver's Knowshown Moreno and San Diego's Ryan Matthews could also provide big games in their late game.

The rules allow for better passing numbers now, and the quarterback will still be the most important position on any NFL roster.  But these playoff teams have shown that running the ball is still key to victory, and hopefully more teams will learn from what we all saw on Saturday.