NFC Championship Game
More than a month has passed since Adrian Peterson reduced Eric Dickersons single-season rushing record to ash. Peterson finished the season with 2,872 yards, but still, his disappointment was evident. It was no biggie, Peterson said following the Vikings Week 17 win. I was actually hoping for 3,000, but I didnt want to say anything. Nobody wants to come off like that guy, ya know? In the divisional round win over Seattle, Peterson tallied another 426 yards on 62 carries. Minnesota has not thrown the ball since Week 9.
Peterson finished only two games with fewer than 100 yards both against the Detroit Lions, who feature the most dominant defensive tackle duo professional football has ever seen. When asked whether he thought Ndamukong Suh was a dirty player, Peterson replied, Not at all; theres only a gap in your understanding. What youre seeing is just someone who exists on a different physical plane. On the first play from scrimmage, the collision between Peterson and Suh in the hole leaves a crater five feet deep and 10 feet across. Play is delayed an hour.
The game gradually gets away from Minnesota. Calvin Johnson had another historic season one in which he broke his own receiving yards record, but still finished second in the league to Dwayne Bowe and hes having his way with the Minnesota secondary. The Vikings fall 31-0. They attempt no passes.
