The Top Five NFL Running Back Tandems of 2009

Even with the loss of Derrick Ward, this backfield will still be strong.

Brandon Jacobs is a beast when he is healthy, and that is key; he needs to stay healthy to (literally) carry the Giants into the playoffs.

The Giants will be relying on Jacobs all year, unless rookie RB Andre Brown will step up. He has looked great so far, but it is still early in the preseason, and you never really know with a rookie.

Ahmad Bradshaw could also possibly see a production boost, but it is yet to be seen how he can handle a big role in this offense.

Brandon Jacobs—1,089 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.0 avg.
Ahmad Bradshaw—355 yards, 1 touchdown, 5.3 avg.

Adrian Peterson almost single-handedly carries this running game, but if not for Chester Taylor's assistance the past two years, Peterson would be dealing with some serious injury problems.

Peterson doesn't mind the workload at all, but it is always nice to have a back...well...have your back.

Chester Taylor is always there to relieve Peterson's exhaustion at multiple times each game. Taylor could be starting for many teams around the league right now, but as a RB nearing the age of 30, it's time to make a rush for that Lombardi Trophy. This backfield has ability to do so.

Adrian Peterson—1,760 yards, 10 touchdowns, 4.8 avg.
Chester Taylor—399 yards, 4 touchdowns, 4.0 avg.

The infamous Smash and Dash, what can I say?

Although LenDale White might have taken the nickname a little far when falsely claiming he had the name copyrighted, he and Chris Johnson fit the name perfectly.

Chris Johnson racks up all the yards to get his team to the red zone, and then LenDale scores the touchdowns. They both seem perfectly content with this strategy.

Smash and Dash is one of the youngest backfields in the league, and for Tennessee's sake, they will hopefully be there for awhile.

I give much more respect to Chris Johnson, though. He was questioned before the draft and really proved to be a great back—even better than LenDale.

Chris Johnson—1,228 yards, 9 touchdowns, 4.9 avg.
Lendale White—773 yards, 15 touchdowns, 3.9 avg.

Michael "The Burner" Turner and Jerious Norwood form a great duo. Once again, they have different styles of running like LenDale and CJ.

Norwood is extremely elusive, and should see a boost in carries after a strong 2008 season. While the second half of the season did not go as planned, he is a very versatile player and can make a difference in every game.

Turner is a workhorse, though; he is a tough back who has had something to prove since he left San Diego. He has good power and speed for a back of his size and weight. He is like a little bowling ball; he is looking to knock down all of his opponents so he and that young group of Falcons can return to the playoffs.

Michael Turner—1,699 yards, 17 touchdowns, 4.5 avg.
Jerious Norwood—489 yards, 4 touchdowns, 5.1 avg.

I have to say that they are one of the most underrated backfields in the NFL.

The league leader in total TDs, Deangelo Williams, and rookie Jonathan Stewart, combined for the most 20+ yd. runs, 40+ yd. runs, total rushing touchdowns, and beat out any other duo in rushing yards with 2,351. This is an amazing feat for a duo who has only combined for 4 total years in the league.

While after fans gave them the name Smash and Dash, LenDale White quickly claimed it as his and the duo is now known as Double Trouble. This nickname was created quickly to put an end to the Smash and Dash controversy.

This backfield had an amazing second half of the season, and look to build off of it to have another great 2009 campaign.

Deangelo Williams—1,515 yards, 18 touchdowns, 5.5 avg.
Jonathan Stewart—836 yards, 10 touchdowns, 4.5 avg.