Another 100-yard performance in Week 3 has Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb atop the NFL’s rushing leaderboard. Though Browns fans are well acquainted with his unique skillset, the league has only recently come to recognize just how game-changing his abilities are.
For perspective, Chubb notched his 49th game with 50 or more rushing yards, which is second only to Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott for the most in a player’s first 61 games. Additionally that mark tied him with Tennessee Titans stalwart Derrick Henry for second-most by an active player in their first five years in the league at the end of Thursday’s matchup.
Along with those impressive marks, Chubb is steadily climbing Cleveland’s franchise records lists. His 100-yard showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the 24th of his career, which leads the NFL since his rookie season in 2018. The Browns are an impressive 17-7 when he reaches that benchmark, and are particularly reliant on his production to drive their offense downfield.
With a touchdown scored in the matchup, Chubb achieved an even 40 scores in his career, which puts him in fifth place in franchise history in the rushing category. He will need four more rushing touchdowns to tie Browns legend Otto Graham for fourth most on the franchise leaderboard, and a fifth to exceed Graham’s total for sole ownership of fourth place. If he can find pay dirt on the ground eight more times in 2022, he could move into third place, passing Kevin Mack and Mike Pruitt at 46 and 47 respectively.
The work being put in by Chubb on a week-to-week basis is reaching legendary status, and the team certainly wouldn’t be the top team in the AFC North if it weren’t for his exceptional play to start the season. With 14 games remaining on Cleveland’s schedule, he will have ample opportunity to build on his already prolific performances, and cement himself as the NFL’s premier ball carrier.
