Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings came very, very close to breaking the record for most rushing yards in an NFL season.
FromESPN: Adrian Peterson ran right past everyone this season. Past all those running backs before him who couldn't make it to 2,000 yards in a season. Past every doubter who dared to think he wouldn't make it back from a devastating knee injury.
Past everyone except Eric Dickerson.
Peterson became the seventh player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, plowing through the Green Bay Packers for a 20-yard gain that put him over the top in the third quarter Sunday. He finished with 199 yards and a touchdown in the 37-34 victory, leaving him nine yards shy of breaking Dickerson's single-season record.
"Ultimately we got the `W," Peterson said after carrying the ball a career-high 34 times. "We said during the week, if it happens, it happens. Don't focus on it."
Peterson needed 208 yards when the day began to break Dickerson's record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. His 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter set up Blair Walsh's winning field goal, a kick that clinched a playoff berth for the Vikings. He'll have to settle for the second-best total -- 2,097 yards -- and a trip to Lambeau Field for a playoff rematch next Saturday night. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8794141/adrian-peterson-minnesota-vikings-just-misses-nfl-single-season-record-becomes-seventh-player-nfl-history-rush-2000-yards
Sorry, but O.J Simpson, Buffalo Bill rusher turned murderer, 1973 season was more impressive because he did it in only 14 games and they didn't have a week off.
At the Prairie Café...
5 hours ago
Barry Sanders had the most impressive of all the 2,000-yard rushing seasons, in my opinion. After running for just 53 yards in the first two games in 1997, he ran for exactly 2,000 in the last 14 (for a total of 2,053), gaining more than 100 yards in each of those last 14 games.
ReplyDeleteHe was best when it counted most. He led the Lions to wins in 5 of their last 6 games to make the playoffs with a 9-7 record. During this stretch he ran for 950 yards, averaging over 7 yards per carry, and scored 7 of his 11 TDs.