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Arizona Cardinals: 5 Best Single-Game Rushing Performances Since 2010

By Casey Pazzalia

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Chris Johnson #23 and head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals walk out onto the field after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 22, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Chris Johnson #23 and head coach Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals walk out onto the field after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 22, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Running back Adrian Peterson #23 of the Arizona Cardinals steps up to the line of scrimmage during the first half of the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Running back Adrian Peterson #23 of the Arizona Cardinals steps up to the line of scrimmage during the first half of the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Looking at the best Arizona Cardinals rushing performances since 2010.

On Monday afternoon, it was announced that Adrian Peterson had signed on with the Washington Redskins. Of course, this immediately brought back memories of the 2017 season when Peterson had a surprise resurgence with the Arizona Cardinals.

Peterson had a break-out performance in his first-ever game with Arizona, shocking everyone who witnessed. So with that in mind, I went back and looked up the best rushing performances by Cardinals running backs in recent memory. There were a lot to choose from but I’ve got it narrowed down pretty good. There were enough great performances where we were able to feature five different Cardinals’ running backs.

Ironically, Sam Bradford was the opposing quarterback in two of the games.

No. 5 and No. 4

(#5) Chris Johnson — Week 3, 09/27/2015

Like Peterson did a few years later, Chris Johnson was a pleasant surprise as a member of the Cardinals — especially during the 2015 season. It was Week 3, however, when Johnson really proved he was back.

In a 47-7 blowout over the San Francisco 49ers, CJ2K ran the ball 22 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Oh yeah, he also added a 40-yard reception. In his first two games, he only averaged about 3.6 yards per carry. Here, though, he averaged five yards per rush and helped the Cardinals move to 3-0 on the season. Sadly, he’d miss out on another 1,000-yard season because of an injury late in the year.

Game Stats: 22 attempts, 110 yards, 2 touchdowns

(#4) Tim Hightower — Week 14, 12/12/2010

The oldest performance on our list, this one comes from bruiser Tim Hightower during the John Skelton era.

During a 43-13 blowout of the Denver Broncos, Hightower had 148 yards on the ground on just 18 carries. One of his carries went for 41 yards, another for 35. The 35-yard rush resulted in a touchdown, his second of the day. This was also the game where kicker Jay Feely scored 25 points by himself (five field goals, one rushing touchdown, and four PATs).

Sadly, this was Hightower’s last big-time game as a Cardinal. In fact, he didn’t go over 100 yards again until joining the New Orleans Saints in 2015. Hightower triumphantly returned to the NFL after sitting out three years. Wide receiver Greg Little is currently trying to do the same thing for the Cardinals this year.

Game Stats: 18 carries, 148 yards, 2 touchdowns

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