Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Lot of talk about the 2,000 yard season of 1997 when he went on an insane run (no pun intended) after a slow start in the first 2 games. Or the almost 2000 yard season of 1994 in which he hit the 1000 yard plateau before Halloween.

I go with 1991- in terms of TD's and yards, it was up there. Career high 16 TD's. The most prolific single game of his career (220 yards, 4 touchdowns against the Vikings- an inspiring performance amidst the tragic Mike Utley situation.) Also the best season in terms of team success (12-4, NFC Central, a playoff win).

#2 for me is 1995, a forgotten season best remembred Detroit-wise for Scott Mitchell's out-of-body passing season

In my series it will be 1997. The MVP, 2000 yards, and even 3 TDs in passing game (career high) and only 3 fumbles and a 6.1 yards per carry

The other years you mention are great, I'd go 1991 second.

'97 comes to mind. I know, the popular choice but 2,000+ after that slow start and he did lead Lions to the playoffs one last time. Along with that year's finale against the Jets (last game before going back to their Namath Era unis the following year), two other memories stand out for me (adding some 'relish' to both '94 & '95) - his Classic performance vs that Dallas defense (and...Emmitt Smith), at Dallas, on MNF and causing another future-HOFer on the following year's Opening Day (by doing what he did best, juking) to suffer an ACL yet amazingly return for SBXXX (and show-up Irving in the process) four months later.

I would go with 1994, by a hair over 1997. The most popular season is not always the clear cut winner.

For example, if this discussion was about Calvin Johnson, I would have taken 2011 over his record setting 2012 season, mostly because he had 16 TD's in 2011 and only 5 a year later.

OJ Simpson's best season was 1975, not his famed 2003 yard season of 1973. He had seven TD catches in 1975, and 7 receptions in 1973. His YPC dropped from 6.0 to a still outstanding 5.5.