NFL records are split into two categories: the regular season and the playoffs. Regular-season records are the ones most often cited, as every team is playing the same number of games and players are on even playing fields.
The playoffs are separated from those record, as only a portion of the league advances to the playoffs initially, and that number shrinks each round leading up to the Super Bowl.
Still, there have been players that have risen above the others with their playoff performances. Some have benefitted from multiple playoff trips, while others just seem to take as step forward with the heightened stakes of the postseason.
Here is who holds the rushing record for the NFL playoffs, and how Ravens running back Derrick Henry compares.
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NFL playoff rushing yards record
| Rank | Player Name | Yards |
| 1. | Emmitt Smith | 1,586 |
| 2. | Franco Harris | 1,556 |
| 3. | Thurman Thomas | 1,442 |
| 4. | Tony Dorsett | 1,383 |
| 5. | Marcus Allen | 1,347 |
| 6. | Terrell Davis | 1,140 |
| 7. | Derrick Henry | 1,002 |
| 8. | John Riggins | 996 |
| 9. | Marshawn Lynch | 970 |
| 10. | Larry Csonka | 891 |
Smith is synonymous with rushing records. He has the most career rushing yards (18,355), rushing touchdowns (164) and rushing attempts (4,409). Smith continued this dominance in the playoffs, rushing for 1,586 yards with the Cowboys over 17 games.
Harris played 19 games in the postseason with the Steelers. He won four Super Bowls when he was with Pittsburgh, and held the playoff rushing yards record until Smith broke it in 2000. Thomas came close to catching Harris, but came up just short. He played in 21 playoff games for the Bills, and was part of their infamous four consecutive Super Bowl losses.
Henry is the highest-ranked active player on the list. Despite spending the majority of his career so far with the Titans, he had played in seven playoff games for the franchise. Henry has added two games with the Ravens, cracking 1,00 career playoff yards in the process.
MORE NFL PLAYOFFS:
Derrick Henry postseason game log
| Game | Date | Opponent | Rushing Yards |
| 1. | 01-06-18 | Chiefs | 156 |
| 2. | 01-13-18 | Patriots | 28 |
| 3. | 01-04-20 | Patriots | 182 |
| 4. | 01-11-20 | Ravens | 195 |
| 5. | 01-19-20 | Chiefs | 69 |
| 6. | 01-10-21 | Ravens | 40 |
| 7. | 01-22-22 | Bengals | 62 |
| 8. | 01-11-25 | Steelers | 186 |
| 9. | 01-19-25 | Ravens | 84 |
Henry has ben known to dominate in the playoffs, cracking 150 yards in four games. He put together a strong game on Sunday night against the Bills, but it was certainly not a ceiling outcome for Henry.
