The Minnesota Vikingsput themselves in position to make the playoffs with a resounding win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. The only small downside to the game: Running back Adrian Peterson didn't come out of the game fully healthy.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier rested Peterson late in the fourth quarter because of a sore abdomen. Peterson had 25 carries for 86 yards before leaving, and there was no reason to risk further injury in a game Minnesota had in hand.
Peterson now has a serious uphill battle to break Eric Dickerson's NFL single-season rushing record. Peterson needs 208 yards next week against the Green Bay Packers to pass Dickerson's record and 102 yards to reach 2,000. Houston sent a lot of run blitzes at Peterson and hit him in the backfield.
"We knew they were going to focus on the run, which is OK," Peterson said, via The Associated Press. "It felt good to see other guys get involved and us continue to move the ball down and score some points."
There's no doubt Peterson will play this week. If there's one player who could pull off a nearly impossible storybook ending to an insane season, it's Peterson.
"I'll get some rest and be ready to get a W and break that record," Peterson said.
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