Four running backs scored at least 120 yards on the first weekend of the 2024 NFL regular season, marking a few outstanding performances from the position. Joe Mixon (159 yards), J.K. Dobbins (135), Jordan Mason (147), and Rhamondre Stevenson (120) are the players I see.

There were a lot of failures in Week 1. It was unfortunate not to see the current running back king, Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles), on the field on Monday night, but it was also frustrating that five other rushers in the top ten from the previous season had at least 50 yards on the ground in their opening game of the 2024 season.

Still, it’s early, far too early. Week 2 offers new possibilities. Who will recover? Who’s going to keep balling out? For every question, below are two responses.

Next game: 1 p.m. ET on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders

Todd Monken needs to figure out how to use Lamar Jackson and the King most effectively, even though Henry did score in his Baltimore debut. When playing out of shotgun against the Chiefs, the Ravens frequently substituted Henry for Justice Hill, meaning that Henry only participated in 46% of the offensive snaps. Three of the veteran’s thirteen carries for forty-six yards came in the second half of the Kickoff Game. The Ravens “didn’t bring Derrick in here to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game,” John Harbaugh informed reporters on Monday. He has already done it. Actually, it is not the plan.

Though Henry, a two-time running champion, frequently stood on the bench, it was unsettling to watch Lamar carry for 122 yards. I know Baltimore likes to spread the love on offense. Even though Lamar is an excellent runner, this strategy doesn’t appear long-term. Henry’s skill level is still too high to be underutilized. Henry should participate more in the run game this week against the Raiders, who just allowed J.K. Dobbins to run all over them, in my opinion.

Next game: Sunday at 1 p.m. ET vs the Green Bay Packers

Taylor has eight touchdowns in six career games versus the rival Texans and was averaging 135.2 rush yards per game going into Week 1, but that wasn’t the player we saw on Sunday. With only 16 carries for 48 yards and one touchdown, he averaged a pitiful 3.0 yards per carry. Let’s start by granting credit where credit is due: Taylor is only allowed to get 2.1 rush yards after contact per carry by the excellent Texans defense. For background, Next Gen Stats indicates that throughout his career, Taylor has never recorded a figure lower than 3.3 for a season.

Taylor and Anthony Richardson haven’t often played together in the backfield, which may be another contributing cause. In 2023, they only had one game together, but it was Richardson’s last game due to a season-ending shoulder injury, and Taylor’s first game back from injury. The Colts would obviously benefit from leaning on Taylor early in the game, even though the second-year quarterback showed flashes versus Houston. This duo needs reps together. The entire Colts offensive operation should click if he gets going against a Green Bay defense that struggled against the Eagles last week, which will make Richardson feel more at ease overall.

Next game: Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET vs the Atlanta Falcons

Giants supporters, you could be right about that young girl: Consider following Saquon wherever he goes. In the Eagles’ victory over Green Bay in Brazil, he ran for 109 yards and two scores on 24 carries, looking fantastic in his NFL debut. Barkley was supposed to look like a top rusher, which would have delighted Jalen Hurts, especially with an offensive line that was far better than it was a year ago.

The most noteworthy play of the game, though, was perhaps the back’s 18-yard, toe-tapping touchdown reception from Hurts during the Eagles’ opening drive of the game. This marriage between Philadelphia and Barkley seems like a home run, much like Christian McCaffrey’s in San Francisco. I don’t think the Falcons, who just allowed the Steelers to get 137 running yards, will stop them.

Next game: 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday against the Chicago Bears

In Houston’s season-opening victory over Indianapolis, we witnessed a revitalized Mixon as the 28-year-old rushed for 159 yards, including a touchdown run of three yards early in the fourth quarter. Although we have always known that he is capable of such a performance, in Cincinnati, where the Joe Burrow-led passing attack was the norm, he frequently got lost in the shuffle. With a new role in the Shanahan scheme, Mixon’s skills were evident in his debut game away from Cincinnati.

C.J. Stroud’s passing game and strong offensive line performance put Mixon in a perfect position to produce his greatest season to date. Just a small portion of his potential in Bobby Slowik’s offense has been shown to us. In the Sunday-night limelight versus the Bears, I believe the man could put on a show.

the top fifteen running backs
Every week of the 2024 season, running backs will be surveyed by former NFL rushing leader and current NFL Network pundit Maurice Jones-Drew, who will rank his top 15. His rankings are derived from his work during this season. This is MJD’s list for Week 2 as of right now.