6. Emmitt Smith - 18,355 All- Time Rushing Yards Emmitt Smith’s career rushing record is a testament to his health, as over his 15 seasons, he played at least 14 games 14 times and never had a season playing fewer than 10. His two main pursuers can’t make that claim. Atlanta’s Steven Jackson, the NFL’s leading active rusher, has see injuries cut him down over the last three seasons, especially last season, when he ran for a career-low 543 yards in 12 games. At 31 he’s nearly 8,000 yards behind Smith. Adrian Peterson also has been hit hard by injuries but is 29, and still has a shot at catching Smith. He’d have to play at least five more seasons of at least 15 starts, something he’s done four times—including the incredible 2012 season (2,097 yards) and 2008 (1,760 yards)—and produce at between 1,500 and 1,600 yards a season. His lowest season rushing is 1,298. Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch is a longshot, but he’s 28, is durable and is a consistently in the neighborhood of 1,300-yards per season. He’ll need to continue that as he’s better than 10,000 yards behind and needs more years like 2012’s 1,590 season—almost seven of them. Maurice Jones-Drew is about 700 yards closer than Lynch, and is the same age, but will need an offensive renaissance from the lowly Oakland Raiders. Probability of Record Falling: Given the short lifespan of running backs and offenses shifting to the air, it’s doubtful. The fact that so many distinguished running backs are no where currently close to Smith’s legendary mark speaks for his durability and consistency. 7. Dick “Night Train” Lane - 14 Interceptions in a Season You’ve got to give credit to Dick “Night Train” Lane, as he’s set a record that is among the safest in NFL history. The closest anyone has come in modern days to his 14 interceptions in a season is Oakland’s Lester Hayes, who had 13 in 1980. No one has reached double figures in picks since 2006, when Denver’s Champ Bailey and New England’s Asante Samuel each grabbed 10. But with more footballs in the air than ever—so many that even marksmen like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning are throwing at least 10 INTs a season—the time may be right to challenge “Night Train.” Seattle’s Richard Sherman seems like a good choice, as his eight led the NFL last year and his 20 since 2011 pace all DBs. Should QBs stop tempting fate and throwing Sherman’s way, opportunities open up on the other side for safety Earl Thomas, who picked off five passes last year. With Chicago’s pass rush expected to be improved following the signing of free agent defensive ends Jared Allen and LaMarr Houston, opposing quarterbacks will be under increased duress in 2014. That should be good news for Bears’ 30-year-old corner Tim Jennings. The eight-year veteran had nine picks in 2012 and 13 over the last two years. Probability of Record Falling: This 60-year-old mark could fall as long as offenses keep chucking the ball at current rates. Of course being a shutdown cornerback would also mean quarterbacks might avoid you all game, giving you less opportunities. Very slim possibility. 8. Bruce Smith – 200 Career Sacks Former Buffalo Bills DE Bruce Smith terrorized opposing backfields for 19 years, eventually setting the career sacks record, with an even 200. Smith was remarkably consistent, having a run of 12 seasons in 13 with double-digit sacks (the one year he didn’t get there he was injured and played five games)—only once making more than 15. He retired at the age of 40, outlasting by three seasons his peer, Reggie White, who finished with 198. No one has really mustered much of a challenge to Smith, but that could change. Bears defensive end Jared Allen enters his 11th NFL season second among active players, with 128.5 sacks, five RICK STEWART/GETTY IMAGES SPORT CLASSIC behind active leader John Abraham. Heading into 2014, Allen has a new lease on life, having signed with the Chicago Bears, and at age 32, still has several prime rushing years left. He rides a streak of seven double-digit-sacks seasons, including a 22.0 two years ago, just a half-a-sack off the single-season record held by Michael Strahan. In Chicago, Allen will make Strahan sweat out holding on to his record, and also could make Smith uncomfortable. New Bronco DeMarcus Ware should have a AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES SPORT CLASSIC
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