It's all right there for Adrian Peterson now. One more game in his remarkable comeback season, and the only thing that remains on the line is everything.
A win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday would put his Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 season. The milestones of 2,000 yards and Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record are there to be had as well, along with a potential MVP award.
"It's such a big game when you look at everything that can be accomplished," Peterson said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to it, man. Most importantly, getting into the playoffs, securing that with a win against Green Bay. Having an opportunity to hit 2,000, having an opportunity to break Eric Dickerson's record in the same game, it would be great to accomplish."
Perhaps the only thing more improbable than the Vikings (9-6) sitting one victory away from a playoff berth is that they have been carried there by Peterson, who tore two ligaments in his left knee just over a year ago. He has already racked up a career-high 1,898 yards rushing this season, leaving him 102 away from becoming the first player to hit 2,000 yards on a reconstructed knee.
His inspiring recovery has galvanized a team that has been teetering on the edge of elimination and has put some of the biggest names to play the position in his corner as he runs toward history. Dickerson is on record as saying he hopes Peterson falls a little shy of his 2,105 yards rushing in 1984, but everyone from Jim Brown to Terrell Davis to Chris Johnson -- the most recent running back to rush for 2,000 yards -- have come out in support of his pursuit.
"So impressed by everything (at)AdrianPeterson has done this year," Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders tweeted recently. "Big fan of E.D. But really pulling for AP to break the record. Good luck."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/vikings-adrian-peterson-on-verge-of-major-milestone-668392/#ixzz2GXXWhPJi
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