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Ranking the Top 10 running backs in NY Giants history

By Desmond Novack

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants warms up before the game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on January 09, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants warms up before the game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on January 09, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Jan 27, 1991; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bills 19-20. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 1991; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bills 19-20. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Ottis Anderson

Accolades: Two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP

Career stats: 83 games, 704 rushing attempts, 2,274 yards, 36 TDs

By the time Ottis Anderson joined the NY Giants, many thought his career was over, as an injury in 1985 caused him to play only nine games in which he rushed for only 479 yards and four TDs. Then, after a slow start to the 1986 season, Anderson would be traded to the NY Giants for a couple of draft picks. However, for the remainder of the season, Anderson would be a near non-factor.

While he did score a TD in the NY Giants Super Bowl victory against the Denver Broncos, Anderson would not start a single game during his eight-game tenure with the Giants in 1986, and would only play in four games in 1987.

This was not the end of Anderson’s career though. After a somewhat bounce-back season in 1988, Anderson would explode back onto the scene in 1989. He rushed for 1,023 yards and 14 TDs: his first 1,000-yard season since 1984. Entering the 1990 season, it seemed like Anderson’s career might start coming to an end, as the Giants selected future Pro Bowler Rodney Hampton in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

However, Anderson would still see a majority of the carries, and entering the playoffs he would take off. He rushed for 249 yards and a TD in three games, winning Super Bowl MVP against the Buffalo Bills. Anderson’s career with the NY Giants may have been short. However, the impact he had on the team was good enough to put him in the No. 7 spot on our list.

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