In the NFL, the elite running backs don't like to miss a play and want the ball in their hands as much as possible. These top players end up being the workhorse back for their team and become a true every-down running back. They're relied on heavily to carry the rushing load for their team and are depended on to keep running down after down, game after game, all season long. Having an every-down back with the skillset and ability to carry the rushing load can be very beneficial, but usually, what ends up happening is they wear down and get injured. Their bodies take a beating every time they touch the ball and although they can handle it for a while, it’s not sustainable. We saw the Panthers lean on Christian McCaffrey to carry the weight of their offense in 2018 and 2019, but he wasn’t able to continue that pace. As a result, he dealt with injuries during the last two seasons and missed a significant amount of games. The top two workhorse backs in 2020 were Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook who each had over 300 carries. However, in 2021, Henry only made it to week 8 before getting injured...and Cook only played in 13 games while his rushing touchdowns went from 16 to 6. As we head into 2022, the top two running backs with the most carries last season were Jonathan Taylor (332) from the Colts and Najee Harris (307) from the Steelers. However, reports are already indicating that the Colts are going to incorporate running back Nyheim Hines more this year, and they also signed Phillip Lindsay. Meanwhile, the Steelers are looking to make changes as well. ProFootballTalk.com says, “Harris led all NFL running backs in offensive snaps and offensive touches last year as he slid right into a workhorse role as the starter in Pittsburgh. Harris said on Tuesday that he and the team are discussing an adjustment to that approach for his second season.” The bottom line is, that running backs can only be counted on to be an every-down back for so long because they just can’t continue to carry that kind of load or expect the same significant production. Teams have to understand this before allowing their running backs to break down and wear down. When it comes to our own lives, if we're honest with ourselves, we oftentimes attempt to be the workhorse back, putting everything on our shoulders, carrying the load, while continuing to run down after down, game after game, season after season. However, we eventually wear down and get injured and even if we can handle it for a while, it’s not sustainable. We aren’t meant to carry the weight and if we continue to try, we will wear down and break down and not have significant fruitful production. Thankfully, there's someone available to us who can carry the load for us. Jesus is ready, equipped, and able to be our “every-down back” no matter the situation. In our journey in life, we will go through many trying and challenging situations. Jesus is the One we must hand off our burdens, worries, and fears to as we trust and depend on Him…no matter what. He’s always willing to carry the load. Whether we feel like we’re in the red zone or find ourselves up against a difficult third and long, we can continue to turn to Jesus. Instead of sticking with Him every once in a while, we can lean on Him on every “down.” Jesus is inviting us to be with Him and rely on Him always. He tells us in John 15:4-5 (NLT), “’Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.’” Jesus goes on to explain in John 15:7 (AMP), “‘If you remain in Me and My words remain in you , ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.'” Today, let’s find tremendous joy, peace, and comfort in knowing we can fully depend on Jesus to remain in us as we remain in Him. Let’s stop trying to be an "every-down back" by doing everything on our own and let’s ask Jesus to carry our burdens for us. As 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) says, “...casting all your cares on Him, for He cares about you .” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you so much for sending Jesus to be my Savior. Please help me to abide in Him and produce great fruit. I’m thankful to know He’s worthy to trust and rely on in any and every situation. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What load are you trying to carry on your own right now?
Why can Jesus be trusted in every and any situation?
Comments