Myth No. 2: Elite Running Backs Usually Face Eight-in-the-Box Defenses Because No One Respects Their QB
Background
You can insert any big-time running backs name here, but lets go with the most obvious example, if only because we have our best data on him.
Adrian Peterson returned from a torn ACL injury to have the best season of his career for the Minnesota Vikings, rushing for 2,097 yards and winning the leagues MVP award.
A big reason he won the award was the lack of a passing game the Vikings had behind second-year quarterback Christian Ponder, who threw for only 2,935 yards despite throwing every pass for the team.
The assumed narrative is that Peterson heroically amassed these numbers by facing so many loaded boxes with eight or more defenders gearing up to stop the run without any respect for the pass.
