Key backs: Scottie Graham and Barry Word

Graham 487 rushing yards; Word 458

• Allen's knee injury made it official: The Vikings were a pass-first team behind Jim McMahon.

1995

8-8, 108.3 rush yds/game

Key backs: Robert Smith, Scottie Graham and Amp Lee

Smith 632 rushing yards; Graham 406 rushing yards; Lee 71 receptions

• In his third year as a pro, Smith took over for Allen and had the first of six strong seasons. Graham and Lee got busy when Smith went down because of an injury.

2003

9-7, 146.4 rush yds/game

Key backs: Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith

Williams 745 rushing yards, 65 receptions; Smith 579 rushing yards

• Michael Bennett's knee injury forced him to miss the first eight games of the season, but the work Williams and Smith put in led to the second-best rushing season (2,343 yards) in team history.

2005

9-7, 91.7 rush yds/game

Key backs: Mewelde Moore and Michael Bennett

Moore 662 rushing yards, 37 receptions; Bennett 473 rushing yards

• The worst rushing season in team history. Even worse, however: the Love Boat scandal.