The last time Justin Forsett carried the ball as much as he has this season, he was a senior at the University of California. That was seven years ago.
Forsett has more carries through the first 10 games of this season than he has* *had the last three years – combined. The 29-year-old running back is having far-and-away the best season of his NFL career, as he carried 133 times for 721 yards and five touchdowns.
So can he keep it up?
"I don't see any reason for him not to keep going," Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak said.
Forsett has little doubt that his body can withstand the pounding for the final stretch of the regular season.
"I feel good," he said after returning from the bye week. "I'm recharged, re-energized, and I'm ready for the next six games."
History suggests that the Ravens will ride Forsett and the running game for the final six weeks of the season. As the weather gets colder around the AFC North late in the season, the Ravens have traditionally shifted to more of a ground-and-pound approach.
And that strategy has worked, as the Ravens had enjoyed the most success on the ground late in the season during Head Coach John Harbaugh's tenure. Here's a breakdown by month of the Ravens' average rushing yards per game since 2008:
September: 118 yards per game, 27 total touchdowns
October: 108.8 yards per game, 27 total touchdowns
November: 107.5 yards per game, 20 total touchdowns
December/January: 149.4 yards per game, 29 total touchdowns
Forsett hopes to continue the trend this year.
"Anytime you talk about running the football, ground-and-pound, that's what I'm all about as a running back," Forsett said. "Hopefully we're able to do that down the stretch."
Kubiak indicated that he plans to ride his workhorse running back the next few weeks.
"We're getting down to the last six weeks, and you're not saving much for anything, right? It's time to go," Kubiak said. "I know Justin wants to be out there every down, and if he can hold up, he's probably going to be out there quite a bit."
Forsett has been a godsend for the Ravens offense this year, and he's a big reason the unit ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (124.1). He also seems to be getting stronger as he goes.
Forsett is coming off his best game of the season in a win over the Titans, where he rushed 20 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Over the last five games, Forsett has averaged 16.6 carries and 84.8 rushing yards.
"I credit my offensive line," Forsett said. "They make me feel good. Every day I feel like we have a chance, and there are going to be lanes for me. I trust that. I'm going to be ready when they open."
