Last year, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards, the second-most in a season in NFL history, and guided the Vikings to a playoff berth. He finished the season just nine yards shy of breaking Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON's NFL record (2,105 in 1984) and was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player and the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press.
"It is truly an honor to be recognized as the league's most valuable player," says Peterson. "While the award is considered an individual achievement, I couldn't have had the success that I did without my teammates, my coaches and the Vikings organization. I'm blessed to be a member of the Vikings, and I hope we can get the ultimate team award by bringing a Super Bowl championship to Minnesota."
Most Rushing Yards, Single Season, NFL History
Player | Team | Season | Att | Yards | Avg | TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | ||||||
Eric Dickerson | Los Angeles Rams | 1984 | 379 | 2,105 | 5.6 | 14 |
Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 2012 | 348 | 2,097 | 6.0 | 12 |
Jamal Lewis | Baltimore Ravens | 2003 | 387 | 2,066 | 5.3 | 14 |
Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | 1997 | 335 | 2,053 | 6.1 | 11 |
Terrell Davis | Denver Broncos | 1998 | 392 | 2,008 | 5.1 | 21 |
Peterson recorded seven games with at least 150 rushing yards last year, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer EARL CAMPBELL (1980) for the most in a season in NFL history. In Week 17, Peterson rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown as he led the Vikings to a 37-34 win over the Green Bay Packers to clinch a playoff berth.
"He is, without question, the best running back in our game and truly, in my mind, the MVP of our league," says Minnesota head coach LESLIE FRAZIER. "He is special in every way."
Most 150+ Yard Rushing Games, Single Season, NFL History
Player | Team | Season | 150+ Yard Games |
---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | |||
Earl Campbell | Houston Oilers | 1980 | 7 |
Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 2012 | 7 |
Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | 1963 | 6 |
O.J. Simpson | Buffalo Bills | 1973 | 6 |
Peterson set a franchise record with eight consecutive 100-yard rushing games (Weeks 7-15) and during that span, he totaled 1,313 yards, the most by any player in NFL history over any eight-game stretch in a single season. "There aren't many like him," says Pro Football Hall of Famer EMMITT SMITH, the NFL's career all-time leading rusher. "He is a guy that has the inside running ability, the outside running ability and the breakaway speed. Plus the sheer brute strength when he needs it. And he's tough."
Peterson finished the season with 2,097 yards and averaged 6.0 yards per carry, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers BARRY SANDERS (1997), O.J. SIMPSON (1973) and JIM BROWN (1963) as the only players in NFL history to rush for at least 1,800 yards and average 6.0+ yards per carry in a season.
"Adrian has carried on that great tradition of excellent, creative and captivating runners," says Sanders. "There are some things that he and I do similar, and then there are things that we do a lot different. He's a beautiful runner and is so skilled with the ball. He is great to watch."
1,800+ Rushing Yards & 6.0+ Avg, Single Season, NFL History
Player | Team | Season | Att | Yards | Avg | TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | ||||||
Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 2012 | 348 | 2,097 | 6.0 | 12 |
Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions | 1997 | 335 | 2,053 | 6.1 | 11 |
O.J. Simpson | Buffalo Bills | 1973 | 332 | 2,003 | 6.0 | 12 |
Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns | 1963 | 291 | 1,863 | 6.4 | 12 |
In NFL history, there have been only seven individual 2,000-yard rushing seasons. No player has ever reached the mark twice. But Sanders, who rushed for 2,053 yards in 1997, thinks that Peterson is the man to accomplish the feat.
"Adrian is going to be the first guy to gain 2,000 yards in multiple years," says Sanders. "I would pick Adrian."
NFL Football News & Analysis [...]
- Team-By-Team Look at the 2013 QBs in the AFC
- Team-By-Team Look at the 2013 QBs in the NFC
- EJ Manuel Gets Nod as Bills Starting Quarterback
- Texans Give Brian Cushing Six-Year Extension Worth $55.6M
- Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Says Back Isaac Redman to Start
- Tom Brady Enjoyed Time with Tim Tebow
- Player Milestones: What to Look For in 2013
- Double-Threat Running Backs
- The NFL's Undrafted Stars
- High-Profile Small-School Stars in the NFL Today
- Joe Flacco: Calm and Cool
- Adrian Peterson: Rushing into the Record Books
- Big Play Excitement in the NFL
- Excitement Abounds as New Coaches Take Over NFL Teams
- The NFL's Big-Time Wide Receivers
- Megatron Makes History: Calvin Johnson Sets Receiving Record
- Tom Brady is Tom Terrific
- Cool Brees: QB Drew Brees Leads Saints
- Ravens & Broncos Kick Off NFL 2013 Season
- NFL 2013 Kickoff Weekend Notes
- NFL Strength of Schedule Team Rankings
- NFL 2013 Total Team Miles Traveled
- What to Look For in 2013
- NFL Ratchets Up the Excitement
- Remembering the Ravens Super Bowl XLVII Victory
- Super Bowl Victory Follow-Ups
- Winning Traditions in the NFL
- Quarterback Success in the NFL
- NFL Quarterbacks of the Future
- Offensive Tackles Protecting the Quarterback
- Spread Offense
- Good Running Backs Come in Pairs
- NFL Tight Ends on the Rise in 2013
- Exciting Plays in the Return Game
- Turnovers Key to Victory in the NFL
- Return to Sender
- Importance of the Ground Game
- Excelling on Third Down
- Fourth-and-One Situations
- The NFL's Sack Attack
- From Worst to First
- The Value of Football
- NFL Touchdown Streaks
- Peyton Manning and the NFL Record Books
- Aaron Rodgers Continues to Build His Legacy
- Young Quarterbacks on the Rise in 2013
- NFL Rookies Excelled in 2012
- Colin Kaepernick Off to an Outstanding Start
- Randall Cobb: Mr. Versatility
- Devin Hester: NFL Game-Changer
- New NFL Rules for 2013
- NFL Rules: A Constant Evolution
-
NFL Continues to Emphasize Player Health and Safety
- Thigh and Knee Pads Mandatory in 2013
- New York / New Jersey to Host First Super Bowl
- NFL Championship Weather
- Opening Day 1947: A Record 87 Points
- The 'Holy Roller' Game - Chargers vs Raiders - 1978
- NFL 2013: Best NFL Records, Past 10 Years
- NFL Football Still America's Favorite Sport By Far in 2013
- NFL to Play Two Regular-Season Games in London for First Time
- Bills Toronto Series Carries On
- 2013 NFL Draft Goes International
- Lawrence Okoye: From Discus to D-Line
- Best NFL Kickoff Weekend Performances, 1933-2012
- Best NFL Kickoff Weekend Performances, Past Ten Seasons
- Colin Kaepernick Tops NFL Jersey Sales
- Offseason Moves: Same Faces, New Places
- NFL 2013: Overtime Excitement
- Modified Sudden Death Overtime
- Jets Rookie Lineman Says He's Not a Radical Muslim
Article: Copyright ©, iHaveNet.com
Adrian Peterson: Rushing into the Record Books