• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Peterson sets NFL record for rushing yards against Chargers

Nov 4, 2007 - 11:56 PM By Brian Hall Special to PA SportsTicker

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The speculation was that Minnesota Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson already has become the league's best running back. In a matchup against the reigning MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, Peterson added to the argument.

Peterson rushed for an NFL-record 296 yards, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 35-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

Proving unstoppable with his combination of speed and power, Peterson needed 30 carries to etch his name in the NFL record book in just his eighth game.

Peterson broke the record set by Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 295 yards for Baltimore against Cleveland on September 14, 2003.

"I wouldn't say surprised," Peterson said when he heard of his climbing yardage numbers. "With the mindset that I had, and the guys I have up front, I know anything is possible. That is why I continue to work on the things, working hard in practice like it's a game, and really, just keeping myself in shape and ready to go out and make things happen on Sunday."

Peterson set the new record by plowing up the middle for three yards with under two minutes remaining. He received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Metrodome.

The cheers were plenty for Peterson, who also had touchdown runs of 1, 64 and 46 yards. It was the second 200-yard game of the season for Peterson, who leads the league with 1,036 yards on the ground.

There also was some other history in the game.

San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie set an NFL record for the longest play in league history when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards on the final play of the first half, giving the Chargers (4-4) a 14-7 lead.

"Honestly, I mean, when I caught the ball I looked and saw everyone going over to the sidelines. I started walking out of the end zone and then just took off," Cromartie said. "I had great blocks by Eric Weddle, Shawne Merriman, and guys like that. They lead me into the end zone, so without them, I do not think I would have done it."

Tomlinson's numbers were nothing in comparison to Peterson. The reigning MVP carried 16 times for just 40 yards and a touchdown.

Tomlinson's 1-yard score in the first quarter did give him 107 career TDS, passing Jim Brown for fourth on the all-time list.

Two stout run defenses didn't allow the two backs much in the first half, but the rookie got going in the second. Tomlinson only had 35 yards rushing in the first half, while Peterson sat at 43.

On the opening drive of the second half, Minnesota (3-5) started at its own 17-yard line and went 83 yards in six plays, capped by Peterson's second touchdown of the game. He took a handoff from Brooks Bollinger, went off the left side and was hardly touched as he outran the defense to the end zone for 64 yards, tying the game at 14-14.

Two possessions later, the Vikings started at their own 19-yard line. After Peterson tallied 34 yards on the ground and Chester Taylor added another seven, Bollinger hit rookie Sidney Rice down the right sideline for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Vikings the lead for good.

Peterson's 46-yard jaunt with 7:44 remaining gave the Vikings a 28-17 advantage. Chester Taylor added a 2-yard TD with 3:02 left to give the Vikings the final margin.

"It's not 30 minutes of football, it's 60 minutes of football," Merriman said. " They have guys diving when they are running the ball, diving for every inch. They are blocking just that much longer. This game of football is about who wants it more."

Thanks to Peterson and Taylor, who carried nine times for 60 yards, the Vikings rushed for 378 yards. They had 528 total yards.

"That is the way I like to play football," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. "I do have a healthy respect of being able to run it and taking somebody's will from them. And then playing off of that with play action. If you are looking for a benchmark, obviously I would take the 500 yards every week, but I will take the win first and the physical nature of football."

Bollinger was in the game for starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who left the contest with a concussion and did not return. Playing in relief for the second straight game, Bollinger completed 7-for-10 passes for 95 yards and the one touchdown.

Jackson was 6-for-12 for 63 yards before being carted off the field at the end of the first half. With less than a minute left, Jackson scrambled up the middle for 10 yards, but was sandwiched between Merriman and Stephen Cooper.

Peterson's big plays were needed as San Diego took the momentum into halftime.

Minnesota's Ryan Longwell attempted a 57-yard field goal as time expired that fell short. Cromartie was back to receive a potential miss and took it 109 yards for a touchdown with no time left of the clock.

"We need to go out there and make a big play, and that was definitely a big play going into half," Merriman said. "You hope you can thrive off of that coming back out of halftime, but it did not happen for us that way. No matter what kind of game we are in, we have to finish a game."

Tomlinson opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but Peterson and the Vikings immediately answered with their own scoring drive, finished off by Peterson running 1 yard up the middle for the touchdown.

It was a horrific day for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who completed 19-of-42 passes for 197 yards and an interception. He also fumbled three times, losing one.

"This game ties together," San Diego coach Norv Turner said. "If you're not getting first downs. If you're not keeping the ball away from the other team, and a team like that can run the ball. You know, things can get away from you."

In the meantime, Peterson is busy getting away from opposing defenses.