Jordan Howard's Five Best Runs From Last Season

The best Jordan Howard runs of 2016? That's a good question. In a season that nobody saw coming, it's hard to go back and pluck out his top gems. Mostly because in a rough 3-13 season, just seeing all of it was welcoming for Bears fans. Their hopes are higher than ever that Howard can be the guy to carry the offense forward. At least until Mitch Trubisky (hopefully) turns into the franchise QB they haven't had in decades. Until then everybody expects Howard to be the workhorse. With good reason. As last year showed he proved he could produce even when defenses knew he was coming. So now it's time to go back. Re-examine the clips and find the five runs that defined his Pro Bowl rookie campaign. What better way to kick it off than with the run that really started everything? [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jordan-Howard-gets-Bears-offense-going-with-36-yard-run-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]

#5:  The arrival announcement

Through the first two games of the season, Howard didn't see much action. With the Bears trailing in week three 17-0 to the Cowboys though, the team desperately searched for an offensive spark. Current starter Jeremy Langford had failed to get anything going. So Howard was put in to see if he could do any different. Almost immediately he popped off this 36-yard gem that showcased his ability to see where the hole would be and accelerate through it without hesitation. Picture perfect execution and a signal that his time was coming. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jordan-Howard-runs-for-57-yards-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]

#4:  Racing through Indy 

Up to this point defenses still weren't ready to take Howard seriously. He'd had a couple nice runs but he had the rookie label on him. Respect hadn't been earned yet. This 57-yard burst began to change that perception. Though not blazing fast, his acceleration and ability to feel where they defenders would be when he hit the hole was becoming quite a sight. He was untouched until the run was almost over. It was part of a 150+ total yards performance that in many way was his coming out part. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jordan-Howard-snowplows-his-way-into-end-zone-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]

#3:  Snowplowing San Francisco

Just two teams in the NFL were worse than the Bears in 2016. Even so the San Francisco 49ers jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in this snow-covered bout at Soldier Field. Then Jordan Howard basically said, "Well that's enough of that." He almost single-handedly took over the game by scoring three unanswered touchdowns. By far the best of the trio was this rumbling one in the red zone where the 49ers had numerous bodies right there to stop him. It didn't matter. Howard fought, clawed and barreled his way into the end zone. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Jordan-Howard-Fights-for-a-TD-Packers-vs.-Bears-NFL-Week-15-Highlights.mp4"][/video]

#2:  Bowling for Packers

Another of those unfortunate cases where a gutty performance fell short against Green Bay. Still, a banged up Bears team found a way to make this frigid matchup memorable with a second half comeback. Howard was one of the men who spurred it on. The play that really got the crowd and teammates fired up was this one. It was a shorter run but Howard demonstrated his desire, toughness and will to win throughout it. Slamming through two defenders before crossing the goal line made for the last blissful visual. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Jordan-Howard-explodes-for-69-yard-run-against-Vikings-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]

#1:  Halloween havoc

It was the best game of the 2016 season, so naturally it featured the best Jordan Howard run as well. The young back totaled 153 yards rushing in the contest. That he did so against a defense that would finish the year ranked third overall is pretty impressive in itself. It just didn't seem to matter. Howard was red hot and the Bears were desperate for a win going into the bye week. People knew it was going to be a long night for Minnesota after he ripped off this beauty for 69 yards. Had he been just a tad faster he would've housed it. The peak highlight of his career thus far, with expectations it will be topped soon enough.