Greatest ever NFL MVP seasons: 1973 O.J. Simpson

1973 NFL MVP O.J. Simpson is likely a name you will know for other reasons, but he had one of the most historic seasons by a running back in NFL history.

Simpson led the league in rushing yards with 2,003 yards, becoming the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. He also set a new record for the most rushing yards in a 14-game season. He was awarded the NFL MVP award and led the Buffalo Bills to a 7-5-2 record.

O.J. Simpson's 1973 NFL MVP season

One of Simpson's most memorable games of the season came in Week 1 when the Bills faced off against the New England Patriots. In that game, Simpson rushed for 250 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Bills to a 31-13 victory. This would lead to at least 100 yards in each of the first five games.

Another memorable game for Simpson came in Week 5 when the Bills faced off against the Baltimore Colts. In that game, Simpson rushed for 166 yards, an average of 7.55 yards a rush, and two touchdowns, leading the Bills to a 31-13 victory.

The final game of the season for Simpson came in Week 14 when the Bills faced off against the Miami Dolphins. He needed 197 yards to become the first man to rush for 2,000 yards in a season after running for 219 yards the previous week. In that game, Simpson rushed for an incredible 200 yards and one touchdown on 34 attempts as the Bills kept willing him to reach the milestone. Simpson led the team to a 34-14 victory.

Overall, Simpson's 1973 NFL MVP season was one of the most historic in NFL history. He rushed for 2,003 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 143.1 yards per game at 6.03 yards per carry. He set a new record for the most rushing yards in a single season and became the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

Simpson's performance that season was instrumental in the development of the running game in the NFL, and he remains one of the most iconic running backs in NFL history.