Chasing 1,000 yards: Where Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt stand after Week 4

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt runs for a first down against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb dives for extra yards on a rush as he hits Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith in the first half, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb runs the ball a against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb runs the ball a against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb warms up before their game against the Minnesota Vikings, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb (L) and running back D'Ernest Johnson have some fun before their game against the Minnesota Vikings, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt salutes fans as he exits the field after their victory over the Minnesota Vikings, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt tries to run over the tackle attempt of Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods in the second half, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt rushes for a touchdown in the first half, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt stiff arms Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods on a rush in the first half, October 3, 2021, at US Bank Stadium.

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Nick Vigil tries to bring down Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt dives for the first down marker as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler slides behind him in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Nick Vigil tries to bring down Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt reacts after running for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium.

By

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Nick Chubb had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season Sunday. Overall, the Browns rushed for 184 yards as a team against the Vikings and took over the top spot in the league based on rushing yards per game this week.

Together, Chubb and Hunt took another significant step toward becoming the only the sixth running back duo and the eighth teammates overall to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

The last running back duo to share 1,000-yard seasons since the Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams in 2009. The last teammates to do it were Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Mark Ingram in 2019.

The list also includes the 1985 season of former Browns running backs Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner.

Here’s where Chubb and Hunt stand entering Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Chargers:

CHUBB

Chubb finished with exactly 100 yards rushing on 21 carries (4.8 average). It allowed him to move past the Bengals’ Joe Mixon and into second behind the Titans’ Derrick Henry for most rushing yards this season. Henry has 510, Chubb 362, Mixon 353.

Sunday’s game was also another week of Chubb lowering his average per game needed to reach 1,000 yards. He dropped it another 3.7 yards to 54.9.

HUNT

Hunt had another productive week in his pursuit of 1,000 yards. With 69 on 14 carries (4.9 average), he stayed ahead of a doable pace for a player not expected to get the carries Chubb gets.

Last week’s 81 rushing yards was a big boost for Hunt and lowered his needed average the rest of the way to 59.6, a number he reached eight times last season.

After Sunday’s game against the Vikings, Hunt has 234 rushing yards this season, lowering his needed average again, to 58.9 per game.

UP NEXT

The Chargers have one of the most generous rush defenses in the NFL. They are giving up an average of 139.5 rushing yards to opponents this season, fourth-most. Going into Week 4 they ranked 31st in DVOA against the run, though they jumped up to 25th after holding Las Vegas (one of the worst rushing teams in the league) to 48 rushing yards on Monday night.

The Chargers gave up 109 yards to Tony Pollard, 71 to Ezekiel Elliott and 198 to the Cowboys as a team in Week 2. The Chiefs’ led by Clyde Edwards-Hellaire’s 100 yards on 17 carries, rushed for 186 as a team the next week.

They have also struggled to limit explosive running plays by their opponents, ranking 24th in that category.

All that certainly bodes well for a Browns offense that’s first in rushing DVOA and leads the league with 177.0 rushing yards per game. The Browns rank second in explosive rushing plays this season and Chubb ranks third with 10 runs of at least 10 yards or more.

Another significant step toward dual 1,000-yard seasons could be available on Sunday in Los Angeles.

-

Get the latest Browns merchandise: Here’s where you can order Cleveland Browns gear online, including jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and much more.

More Browns coverage

Browns figured out a way to win Sunday, which says a lot about who they are

Mayfield is getting worse under pressure, and it’s not a new trend

Jaguars owner says Urban Meyer needs to regain team’s trust: NFL roundup

Is shoulder the cause of Mayfield’s struggles? Hey, Mary Kay!

Wills Jr. awaiting MRI results; Harrison cleared of concussion

Stefanski’s post-game speech: ‘That’s how you win as a team’

Stefanski not concerned by Mayfield-OBJ chemistry

Favorite photos from Browns-Vikings: Gunter/Kuntz

Defensive grades vs. the Vikings

Offensive grades vs. the Vikings

Browns changed the game with two second-quarter drives

Winners and Losers from Week 4 against the Vikings

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

X

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.