The 7 Most Efficient Seasons By 30-Plus-Year-Old Running Backs Since the Turn of the Century

Mike Anderson, 2005

Season: 2005
Team: Denver Broncos
Age: 32
Total NEP: 42.00
Production: 1,014 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. 18 receptions for 212 yards and 1 touchdown.

A former U.S. Marine, Mike Anderson's career was marked as much by what might have been as it is by what he actually did on the field. The last member on our list, Anderson holds the distinction of having a relatively short career compared to the others due to a late start in the NFL.

As a 27 year old rookie, Anderson would rush for 1,487 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Broncos in 2000, but his next three seasons would be mired by injury and sub-par play. He would hit 1,000 yards rushing just once more in his career in 2005 at the age of 32.

That season Anderson accumulated 42.00 Total NEP thanks in large part to his 1,014 yards on the ground and 13 total touchdowns. Forming a formidable tandem with fellow backfield mate Tatum Bell -- who himself almost crossed the 1,000-yard mark that season, rushing for 921 yards on just 173 attempts -- these two tailbacks would help lead the team to the top of the AFC West with a 13-3 record before losing to eventual the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.