The statistics of total yards and yards per carry are regularly brought up as signifiers of an effective running back or an effective running game of which their production has a significant impact on game outcomes (wins/losses).
I'm definitely not sure historically and I'm even less certain today where the running game isn't a 1st order key to victory. In the modern NFL, the running game is not a chain-mover, a game-shortener, a passing-game-enabler. In the modern NFL, the running game is basically:
a) A means to make sure the offense is in good down and distance situations to ensure the passing game has a breadth of options and the defenses options to defend the passing game are contracted (or at least a catch-22 occurs).
b) A 2nd/3rd and short 1st down converter (most often after a successful pass on 1st down) in order to enable the passing game to continue to do its thing (get 1st downs and get explosives).
c) The most important cog in scoring efficiency in the Tight Red Zone.
So what do you make of the following carry spread (this is Barkley's rushing contribution in a losing effort - 59.7 PFF grade for the week)?
18 carries, 106 yards, TD in a loss
60+ % of which (11) failed all of (a), (b), and (c) above
17 carries for 38 yards
1 carry nets a 68 yard Touchdown run
When you look at a Running Back line like this? What do you see? Is this an effective running game (eg does or should have contributed to victory)?
