RB Darren McFadden was a big factor in the Raiders record-setting performance in their 59-14 win over the Broncos during the 2010 season. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
The Oakland Raiders drafted RB Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. McFadden was selected with high expectations that he would be a speedy, powerful, duel-threat (running and catching the football) running back. Plagued by injury during his first two seasons, McFadden was unable to contribute in an impactful way. Finally healthy in 2010, McFadden shined, living up to the Raiders expectations and proving that he was an elite running back.
McFadden rushed 223 times for 1,157 yards in 2010 for the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. His 1,157 yards is the 5th most by any Raider player behind Marcus Allen (1,759 in 1985 and 1,168 in 1984), Napoleon Kaufman (1,294 in 1997), and Mark van Eeghen (1,273 in 1977). McFadden scored seven rushing touchdowns and caught three touchdown passes. He added 507 receiving yards to his all-purpose total.
The former first round draft pick tied a team record for most touchdowns scored in one game with four against the Broncos in Denver on October 24, 2010. In that game, McFadden had 165 yards rushing and 31 yards receiving. For his Week 7 success, McFadden was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and was voted by the fans as the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
In Week 14 against Jacksonville, McFadden scored another three touchdowns, carried the ball16 times for 123 yards and caught three passes for 86 yards. The fans once again voted McFadden FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
McFadden finished 4th in the NFL and AFC in rushing and was named an alternate for the 2011 Pro Bowl. He also finished the season with 14 runs of 20 yards, the most in the NFL.
McFadden stayed healthy for a majority of the season and proved to be one of the elite running backs in the league with 10 total touchdowns and 1,664 from scrimmage.
