The record for fewest rush attempts in a game is 6, set by the 2004 Patriots and tied by the ’06 Cardinals. The circumstances there are as you would expect. The Patriots fell behind 21-3 in the first quarter to the Steelers in 2004, and Pittsburgh owned the league’s top rush defense. In 2006, the Cardinals faced the Minnesota Vikings, owners of one of the greatest rush defenses in history. Minnesota allowed just 985 yards (the second lowest in modern history) on 2.8 yards per carry (the third lowest mark of the modern era) in 2006. That day, the Cardinals didn’t fall behind early, but called on Matt Leinart to throw 51 passes compared to just four Edgerrin James runs. It was not a winning formula, but I’m not sure Denny Green had the wrong strategy.

But will a team ever go a full game without attempting a run? In college, the floor has also been six runs, at least in recent memory. Baylor — with coach Guy Morris, who coached under Hal Mumme and next to Mike Leach at both Valdosta State and Kentucky — was the first, calling just six runs on the road against the 2006 Texas Longhorns. A year later in Austin, it was Leach who orchestrated the only other six-carry game since 2005. That day, he put the game in the hands of Graham Harrell (36/48, 466 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT), Michael Crabtree (9/195/2), Danny Amendola (8/82) and Edward Britton (8/125/1), but alas, the Red Raiders defense couldn’t stop Jamaal Charles.

I suppose we should wonder when the first 5-carry game will occur before asking about the first 0-carry game. But it’s a Sunday in the offseason, so I’ll throw this one out to the crowd. Will we ever see a 0-carry game? If so, how many years from now until it occurs? Against the Bills this year, the Ravens called 31 straight passing plays but still passed on “only” 86% of all plays from scrimmage. What will it take to get that percentage to 100?