2.4 – How many yards before contact per attempt that Jones averaged, which settled slightly beneath the league average of 2.5. Fourteen running backs and nine quarterbacks fared better. Akers, who rushed 40 times for Houston and 64 for Minnesota, averaged 2.2 yards. Chandler, a non-qualifier, averaged 2.3.
38.9% – Akers ranked fifth in the NFL per Pro Football Focus in percentage of runs gaining 15-plus yards, a.k.a. a breakaway, among running backs with at least 100 rushes. Akers accounted for eight such runs in his backup role, including mad dashes of 58 and 26 yards in Minnesota’s last two games. The only RBs to break away more frequently were Jerome Ford (45.1%), Derrick Henry (42.6%), Jahmyr Gibbs (41.8%) and Saquon Barkley (41.7%). Jones ranked 34th at the position (18.3%) – he was 23rd in 2023 at 25.1%.
6 – Yards that Akers was expected to pick up on his 58-yard sprint, according to Next Gen Stats. The play finished 5 yards shy of the end zone and led to zero points, but it ranked as the No. 20 “Remarkable Rush” – runs that greatly defy what should happen after handoff – thanks to its 52 yards over expected.
73 – Catches from backfield buddies. Jones led the way with 51 catches, his most since having 59 in 2022 and his third instance of more than 50. Akers was next with 10; they both added two receiving scores. Chandler grabbed six passes, fullback C.J. Ham five and released teammate Myles Gaskin had one. It was Minnesota’s most receptions from backfield players in the O’Connell era – and most since 2021 (90).
(Note: Stats are through the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs if mentioned as courtesy PFF.)
Regular-season statistics