Every time I tried to look up Adrian Peterson’s stats online I kept mistyping his name.
You don’t spell it MVP. Yet.
Sure quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are having amazing seasons, and we discussed how an Indianapolis-New Orleans Super Bowl would be the most entertaining match-up, but neither team’s success is that shocking, at least not to me.
You saw it Monday night, the Saints defense has really stepped up, especially in the secondary, as they have already returned five interceptions for touchdowns. The Colts success is also coming from allowing a league-low 13 points per game.
But how many people thought with the Minnesota Vikings’ addition of Brett Favre, an obvious upgrade over Tavaris Jackson at quarterback, would make them into an elite team in the NFL?
Favre is having a great season, averaging two touchdowns per game but Peterson has transformed into the most unstoppable offensive force in the NFL.
Take a look for yourself, would any other running back make this play?
Sure it came during the Vikings only loss of the season, but that is precisely my point. Remember how Favre crashed at the end of the season with the Jets, Peterson won’t let that happen.
Is there another player that has the “I will not lose” gear more than Peterson? When Minnesota did lose, it’s because Peterson was on the sidelines, taking a quick breather and Favre fired an interception.
Come playoff time, even if the Vikings are trailing, do you think Peterson will be out of the game. Just toss him the ball and he’ll punish the opposition.
Through eight games, he’s crossed the end zone nine times and has amassed 784 yards on 163 carries. That means every time he touches the ball, he’s gaining 4.8 yards and scores once every 18 carries. And that’s with every defense keying in on him.
Here’s a quick look at each game this season.
Week 1 at Cleveland: 25 carries, 180 yards, 3 touchdowns
Week 2 at Detroit: 15 carries, 92 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 3 vs. San Francisco: 19 carries, 85 yards, 0 touchdowns
Week 4 vs. Green Bay: 25 carries, 55 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 5 at St. Louis: 14 carries, 63 yards, 2 touchdowns
Week 6 vs. Baltimore: 22 carries, 143 yards, 0 touchdowns
Week 7 at Pittsburgh: 18 carries, 69 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 8 at Green Bay: 25 carries, 97 yards 1 touchdown .
He’s been kept out of the end zone twice and both instances came at home (which is kind of weird) but the point is, each game you know Peterson is going to get his.
This season he’s already had three different carries go for over 50 yards and he’s become the most complete back in the NFL. Whether it’s on his own goal line or the opponents, Peterson is a threat to be dancing in the end zone every time he touches the ball.
You want an indication how good of a season he’s having? Just look up Adrian Peterson 2009 highlights on Youtube.com, and you’ll see about 12 different videos, this one was favorite.
We’re only half way through the season, but it’s pretty clear Peterson is running away with his first MVP award.
-7 to go- (Click here to see why we are keeping count.)
