Analysis: Thursday N.F.L. Game Has Running Backs to Savor

Photo St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin are both the key to their team's offense. Credit Ron Johnson/Associated Press; Cliff Mcbride/Getty Images The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the St. Louis Rams are long shots to make the playoffs this season, but there are a pair of players having All-Pro caliber seasons worth watching Thursday night.

Only three active running backs this season are averaging more than 80 rushing yards per game. One is Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson; the other two are Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin and the St. Louis rookie Todd Gurley. Those three are also the only players this season with more than 700 rushing yards on…