Praise for Barry Sanders Is Also Running High

While Barry Sanders is running out of milestones to reach and records to break, others are not running out of ways to praise him.

Sanders became the second-leading rusher in NFL history with a 167-yard, three-touchdown performance as the Detroit Lions kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 55-20 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

“I knew Barry was a great back, but I didn’t know how great,” Detroit’s first-year coach Bobby Ross said. “I don’t know what else he can accomplish. The guys love him. They love to block for him.”

It was the most points ever scored by the Lions (7-6) in a regular-season game, breaking the old record of 52 which had stood for 45 years. It also was the most points ever allowed by the Bears (2-11).

“Somebody made the comparison that he [Sanders] was in a Lamborghini and I was in a Chevy S-10,” Chicago linebacker Barry Minter said. “You can’t ask just one guy to tackle Barry Sanders when you’re 10 yards off the ball and have to catch up.”

The Lions, who were once behind 17-3 in the game, ran off 38 unanswered points after trailing 20-17 at halftime.

Sanders scored the Lions’ second touchdown on 40-yard run with 47 seconds left in the second quarter. He also had a 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and zig-zagged his way to the end zone from 15 yards out in the fourth quarter.

“It seemed like the minute he hit that first touchdown run, the wind went right out of our sails,” Chicago defensive end Mark Thomas said.

It was the 11th consecutive game of 100 or more yards rushing for Sanders, who has 1,594 yards this season and 13,319 in his career. Sanders moved past Eric Dickerson (13,259) in career yards and now trails only Walter Payton (16,726).

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Quite a Run of Success

NFL records and career rankings held by

Detroit Lion running back Barry Sanders:

RECORDS

* 9--Consecutive seasons, 1,000 or more yards

* 3--Consecutive seasons, 1,500 or more yards

* 11--Consecutive games, 100 or more yards

* 3--Times with run of 80 yards or more, season

* 5--Times with run of 80 yards or more, career

CAREER RANKINGS

* Eighth--Carries, 2,647

* Second--Rushing yards, 13,319

* Ninth--Touchdowns, 103

* Sixth--Rushing touchdowns, 93