Howard Becomes Youngest Bear to Reach 200 Yards from Scrimmage

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown in Monday Night's game against the Minnesota Vikings, also adding 49 receiving yards to become the youngest player in franchise history to reach 200 yards from scrimmage in a single game, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com).

The rookie back out of Indiana broke a record set in 1976 by one of the greatest running backs of all time, Walter Payton. "Sweetness" rushed for 213 yards against the Seahawks 133 days after his 22nd birthday, while Howard sat two days short of his 22nd birthday for Monday's game.

Howard emerged from the Chicago backfield following Jeremy Langford's ankle injury against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. The rookie's first game as Chicago's lead running back came in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, yielding 111 rushing yards on 23 carries and three catches for 21 yards.

His second game as the team's featured ball-carrier resulted in 118 rushing yards on 16 carries and 45 yards on three receptions, in addition to his first career touchdown—which came on a 21-yard reception.

After two puzzling weeks that included just seven carries against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7, the rookie bounced back in a huge way Monday night, propelling the Bears to their second win of a nightmare injury-plagued season. 

While Langford and Ka'Deem Carey may also chip in from time to time, there's little question Howard is entrenched as the team's lead runner for as long as he stays healthy this season.