Adrian Peterson needs 294 yards over the final two weeks of the season break Eric Dickerson’s single-season NFL record of 2,105 rushing yards, which he set in 1984. Peterson is confident he’ll set the record, but first and foremost he wants to make the playoffs.
Taking a look at the numbers, I found that Peterson’s season is arguably already more impressive than the statistics Dickerson piled up in 1984. Take a look.
Dickerson had 379 carries to 2,105. Adrian has 289 carries & 1,812. With 90 more carries Adrian would SMASH the record.#Vikings
— Joe Nelson (@JoeyBrainstorm) December 17, 2012
Dickerson 14 fumbles in 84. Adrian 4 fumbles. Dickerson 5.6 Avg, Adrian 6.3 Avg. Dickerson 21 catches, Adrian 38. Dickerson healthy, AD ACL.
— Joe Nelson (@JoeyBrainstorm) December 17, 2012
Even the great Barry Sanders is hoping Peterson breaks the rushing record.
So impressed by everything @AdrianPeterson has done this year. Big fan of E.D. But really pulling for AP to break the record. Good luck.
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) December 17, 2012
Check out this stat. There have been 60 carries of 40+ yards in the NFL this season. Peterson has eight of the 60. That’s the most in a single season since Barry Sanders finished with 11 in 1997 — a season in which he rushed for over 2,000 yards. Suffice to say, Adrian is a home run waiting to happen every time he gets the ball.
Meanwhile, Peterson is hoping Leslie Frazier wins the NFC Coach of the Year award. In a Q&A with the Pioneer Press, Peterson said Frazier “has been the inspiration we need as the leader of this team. You couldn’t ask for a better person to win it.”
