Adrian Peterson Sets the Rushing Record! (Chargers vs. Vikings, 2007)

[@Theel25]

When a 109 yard field goal return TD is the 2nd most remembered thing about a game, you know someone did something special.

[@fortynights1513]

People talk about how we don’t see many running backs get as many carries as AP did. Well we don’t see nearly as much returning now either. Devin Hester and Brian Mitchell’s career return records are likely unbreakable.

[@Theel25]

@@fortynights1513 Main reason is because the ruleset in place to prevent them from happening. Hester had several of those kick returns be short of the goal line in an era where kickoffs were at the 30. Nowadays you kick at the 35 and it's any fair catch inside the 25 is marked at the 25, so most people don't return it. Plus with how coverage has gotten better, it took forever for people to return punts in some years(took most of 2021 for it to happen, for example).

[@fortynights1513]

@@Theel25 Regarding the return records of Devin Hester and Brian Mitchell to put them into perspective in comparison to what players are doing nowadays. Devin Hester in 2006 had five combined kick and punt return touchdowns, and he had six return touchdowns in 2007. As well as three each in 2010 and 2011. In the last 10 or 11 years, nobody has had more than two kick return or punt return touchdowns in any season; and I’m sure Hester’s 2010 and 2011 performances when he was later on in his prime would have led the league in return touchdowns most of those years; let alone his incredible first two years. Brian Mitchell retired in 2003 with 19,013 combined kick and punt return yards in his career. Andre Roberts who is 35 and last played for Carolina has 8,631 such yards; the most of any active player. And he’s someone who is a free agent. Other than him, Cordarelle Patterson, Tyler Lockett and Alex Erickson are the only other three active players with 4,000 career return yards, and they are each at least 30, and at least Lockett doesn’t appear to be used on returns anymore. Roberts also is responsible for the largest individual return yardage season of the last nine seasons with 1,498 return yards in 2018. A total that Brian Mitchell topped six times in his career, including in 2002 for Philly at age 34. Do Mitchell’s sixth best season would have led the league in any of the last nine years, and Mitchell himself led the league in return yardage only once in his career.

[@ernestogastelum9123]

@@psun316 he got his 100th td in 06

[@sMiTTyooYT]

@@fortynights1513 lol and people today dont get carries like ap did cause they not ap. henry prob the best back since AD

[@sports3117]

Adrian Peterson took the league by storm when he arrived

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

and he's gonna Dancing with the stars by storm.

[@radien239]

Greatest Rookie season I've witnessed imo

[@sirsaint88]

Had he maintained his character he would've been even greater for much longer.

[@Terror832]

Crazy how a rookie broke the single game rushing yard record. And it will never be broken with RB by committees taking over the modern NFL.

[@camc9093]

To say that is crazy. Derrick Henry has gotten very close. Someone like Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Nick chubb could feasibly break this

[@marshonhattimore]

@@camc9093not so sure about Chubb anymore

[@camc9093]

@@marshonhattimore rip

[@spiicypotato]

@@marshonhattimorerip

[@adamclark9004]

​@@marshonhattimorerip

[@samu-eljackson4211]

Similar to Kobe's 81, most of the damage was done in the second half. R.I.P. to Tavares and Vincent Jackson.

[@Gungho73]

That horse collar tackle likely stopped this record from being even bigger.

[@DarylHoward-qg3yh]

He said he didn't wanna get 300 out of respect

[@5starr.antoine]

@@DarylHoward-qg3yhoutta respect of who

[@OfficiallySmiles]

@@DarylHoward-qg3yh People think too much

[@WholeLottaLoveHandles]

Also Childress played Chester Taylor in the fourth quarter and he had a huge 34 yard run @12:30

[@AndrewCox-wl6br]

​@@WholeLottaLoveHandles Taylor also fumbled near the goal line early in the third. He didn't get the ball again tell that last run. Safe to say Taylor might have had a little more of the run share if he didn't fumble earlier. Peterson lost one too, but it wasn't at the goal line and Taylor wasn't over 200 yards at that point.

[@retrocny5625]

AP was really in a league of his own. Same with LT. Both of these guys are all-time greats. But AP had the whole package. Height and muscle, speed, elusiveness, guy was built like a tank but moved like a guy half his size.

[@sjmemz7285]

True but I’ll still take LT my guy was more versatile in every situation AP a better runner

[@jonathanwilliams0824]

R.I.P. Vincent and Tarvaris Jackson. 💔💔💔❤️❤️🕊🕊🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@melvinshine9841]

296 yards is beyond impressive to begin with, but he did almost all of it in the second half.

[@FecalMatador]

Less than 40 in the first half 😂

[@edwardjones2129]

Would never half happened if Brooks Bollinger hadn't been in

[@greenbay3164]

​@@edwardjones2129😂😂😂😂

[@johnn9977]

Against a very average defense.

[@ggNotSuree]

Lol. Hell 140+ in the 4th quarter alone 😂

[@mikemorris9902]

I remember this like it was yesterday .. i was 10 years old at the time. Thanks NFL for the nostalgia and great memories eith my my dad 😢

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

I was 8 or 9 and I still remember.

[@pkgzapper]

It was the first game I went to in person as a birthday gift because I loved LT even though I'm a Minnesota native I was crushed😂

[@Fireyninjadog]

Keep in mind, AP did this as a rookie

[@eduardovara5482]

Yup also keep in mind a rookie ap did this in front of the reigning mvp ladanian tomlinson

[@fantasticvoyage262]

Dierdorf had the perfect comment about Childress after the missed FG return.

[@mangos2888]

I was in college and working as a server in 2006. AP came in with his Dad and had dinner at my table. Adrian was super nice and had a huge smile on his face the whole time. I thought it was him but was too nervous to ask. When he paid using his card, it was confirmed. I still remember that huge smile. 😂

[@ryanmcnally3342]

So many legends in this game crazy

[@tylerlarsen1842]

The Vikings rushing attack in this game was otherworldly. I think Taylor had over 100 yards rushing in addition to Peterson's 296, and Peterson also had some receiving yards for more than 300 yards of total offense alone.

[@danielcoronado6483]

Adrian Peterson was a monster

[@Fireyninjadog]

On and off the field

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

Now he's gonna be on Dancing with the stars.

[@tyreepowell8367]

​@@runrafarunthebestintheworldGood Luck To Him

[@topicbaseball]

LT vs Adrian Peterson, this game has to be one of the best RB matchups ever

[@qceaz11]

R.I.P. To Both Of The Jackson Boys Tavaris & Vincent Both Talented & Both Gone Too Soon🙏🏽😪

[@jasonwiggins5906]

What happened to tavaris

[@tyreepowell8367]

​@@jasonwiggins5906I Think He Died In A Car Accident

[@rooseveltdarbey9493]

RIP to both Men 🙏

[@edwardoutlawjr8154]

​@@jasonwiggins5906believe he died in a car accident

[@SLC133]

an absolute legend of a game!

[@yaslerfuj]

If he didn't get horse collar tackled, didn't have Taylor take those runs in the 4th, and run into a damn ref he could have damn near hit like 330+

[@biggalaxy9102]

Speculation. But anything is possible. Maybe he would have had a few minus yard's too. Who really knows‽

[@shadowdawg04]

@@biggalaxy9102 You must be a fckn hoot at parties!

[@BigBossCQCLegend]

Still can’t Believe Nobody Rush for 300 Yards Yet in a Game and That Viking Fan in the Intro is a Legendary BadAss

[@just2raw4yall]

Set the rushing record with a backup QB. The Chargers knew they were going to run and still couldn't stop it

[@notreallyjermaine]

Adrian Peterson and Ladainian Tomlinson were two really good running backs!

[@keithmorgan4883]

What made this more impressive was the fact that the Chargers actually had a good run defense to this point in the season.

[@shawnford9104]

Adrian Peterson was the definition of a perfect RB.

[@bleeperton]

I think AP had the single greatest rushing season EVER. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he had only like 7 less total yards than Eric Dickerson's record, and yet he had about 50 leas carries. Absolute monster! (Coming from an "unbiased" MN native)

[@fredjonson5781]

I watched that game live and it was crazy to see two of the most important NFL records get broken by different players in the same game.

[@aRBy125]

Ahh the 2000s, back when RBs still had the status of "Star Player" of the team, haha. It's a very rare thing now (see Henry, Barkley)

[@LiamDeege]

Adrian Peterson was such a nightmare for opposing teams.

[@tdogg46142]

I remember this game, though not fan of either team. Watched game because where I lived at the time, the Vikings were the closest NFL team. Incredible job AP!

[@scarrillo31]

I watched this game in Iraq with another Marine who was a huge chargers fan. When AP fumbled late in the game, I told him Peterson was going to break one loose on his next touch. And then BOOM!

[@ancapgrandscribe9546]

ADRIAN PETERSON WAS A BEAST!

[@powapac5994]

This is great quality!!

[@blakebrown84]

He ran for an NFL-record 296 yards as a member of the Minnesota Vikings and he still thinks about what could have been. This has been 16 years since we watched this game. I can’t believe Eric Dickerson didn’t want him to break his single-game rushing record.

[@LarryFeesh]

The best rb of my generation 💯

[@jakebrake3000]

The most talented running back to ever play the position. Literally the best ever. Fight me.

[@NibblesTheNibbler]

Barry Sanders did more in 10 seasons than Peterson did in 15, and he did it while having a shit O-line and a shitty team for most of his career. This coming from a lifelong MN resident and Vikings fan who loved every minute we had AP, but you just can't deny the grace and power of Barry Sanders! The 3 backs with more overall rushing yards than Sanders played for more seasons (Smith 15 years on arguably the best team of the 90s with an awesome O-line, Payton played for 13, and Gore hung on for 16.)

[@eugenesatele9434]

A time where the running back was fully utilized and not just another blocker.

[@fortynights1513]

Running games today are arguably still valuable, but individual players are unlikely to get as many carries as AP was given in his prime.

[@jacksonklark6119]

​@@fortynights1513run game just as valuable even more for some teams with running qbs

[@agermanginger8052]

@@fortynights1513 if ap came into the league today and was this effective idk why a modern couch wouldnt feed him the ball as well

[@williamweiss6128]

Followed OJ back in the day. Dickerson, Peterson were worthy of praise.

[@Dir24MM]

I remember this game in middle school

[@dammad8584]

Peterson / Taylor one of the greatest RB duo ...solid running game.

[@BTThurston05]

Rbs in todays game aren’t elite like this anymore 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@UnicornOfDepression]

I remember this game clearly. Former Bolts fan here. When Luis Castillo got hurt early, the edge was open for the rest of the game.

[@Skazellino]

Former? Did you bandwagon to someone else?

[@UnicornOfDepression]

@Skazellino Nope. When they moved to LA, I became a football atheist. I just hope everyone has fun. Except for the Raiders. Fuck them.

[@Jaccobtw]

RIP Tarvaris

[@bamboozle3990]

He played like a kid living his dream. Ran every down with the highest level of determination. Never wanted to go down.

[@raghuhariharan]

This really could have been a 300+ yard game without forcing the issue. Wow.

[@KfiveYu]

watching old football has a much more authentic feeling it looks like everybody on the field is actually trying

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

One day, we will have the first 300 yard rusher in a game but I’ll take the time to comment just how this Chargers team nearly upset the 17-0 Patriots later in that year’s playoffs and didn’t because of injuries.

[@tyreepowell8367]

Adrian Peterson Is Incredible

[@JCP405]

This Sunday’s game between these two teams will be a battle of which defense will choke harder

[@franthevan65]

I remember watching this it was like playing your brother in madden

[@sillkthashocker]

He had 1,000 yard rushing season 3 years ago

[@Aひstinx]

Lol no he didn’t…

[@MyName-yl2nc]

Greatest running back ever

[@mikeabler2978]

I was living in San Diego at the time and I remember reading the headline on the Sports Section: 'Yeooowwww Adrian!'

[@willstar8095]

He beat they ass like they was his misbehaving child.. He made them linebackers go get a switch. They got him on mic'd up.. "This gon hurt me more than it hurt you boy"

[@charlesjohnson536]

FUTURE NFL 🏈 HALL OF FAMER ADRIAN 'ALL DAY' PETERSON#28 ..

[@BigBobber19]

I always wondered what would have happened if Junior Saeu had played.

[@claudekacou8334]

Terrific Peterson ! Waooouuh

[@Jake_C75]

I miss AP. Best RB I ever watched

[@sykwiddit8575]

5:34 LOL what a great call i dont remember nor came looking for thats hilarious, made me lol.

[@kevinramsey9265]

296 yards rushing for AP in this game and LT still won the leagues rushing title in 2007💪⚡

[@kokbadazz]

The old metrodome. Good times

[@Skazellino]

The best times.

[@queeky00]

I totally remember this game.

[@STBR247]

Rip Greg Gumble!

[@rodneysmith1361]

A.P. is the Goat and the rushing champ in my eyes Go Viking 🔥🔥🔥

[@DyslexicSolMusic]

Literally the longest kick return ever before the first half ended

[@bstove24]

I remember the Chargers were favored by 7.5 points and I took them. Good times

[@NickWebb-lc6ry]

#23 on the Viking's made 2 amazing back to back touchdown saving plays, Chargers drive starts around the 13:00 mark.

[@DasCanuck116]

10:13 sounds like somebody got really excited

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

Adrian Peterson VS Antonio Cromartie is an interesting tale of contrasts: one beat hella kids and the other had hella kids

[@snoopfrogg1975]

I’d love to know how many rushing yards he had per quarter because it looks like he could’ve had 200 in the second half alone

[@Borrow919]

2:20 - (770 rush yards (more than 15 NFL teams).. He needed 230 to get to 1000 and he said.. "piece of cake. I can get that easy!" LOL!

[@mytyhwh]

what a great all around back he was. so consistent every year. enjoyed watching him

[@javi__...]

If you had Peterson and Taylor as your starters in fantasy. You would have had 60+ fantasy points

[@ed_blair_220]

I wish AP got to have 300yds rushing in this game. Was so close.

[@msshann187]

This was a good era of the nfl !!!!! Also this record will never be broken!!!! Just off how the league views the running backs these days smh

[@mariosnum1fan]

These Vikings remind me of the 2022 and 2023 jets without rodgers. Great team, all they missing is a qb

[@aclarkedesign]

Great offensive line was the key.

[@DMP136]

6:26 nobody mentioned how this could have been called off. Veryyyy close enough to think that he throws the ball literally as he crossed the line. He extends outwardly, like always, and tosses into back of end zone

[@dereklucht4811]

oh wow you're right! I cant believe ive never noticed that

[@samxyx]

It's even crazier when you realize 253 of his 296 yards came in the 2nd half!

[@cruzrichard6881]

ap makes me wanna start running again 😂

[@SurgingSpecs]

Not too often both teams make history in one NFL game

[@voriandayne-en9gb]

Barry Sanders is the Goat to me. But personally Adrian Peterson is my number one and favorite.

[@jimmyplenderleith9471]

AD sets rushing record and only 2-3 runs of his shown in first half.....what a second half.

[@mikeRedMDK2032]

It's a shame the metrodome caved in. That was a cool venue.

[@lordjaraxxus3864]

Crazy how often the vikings threw the ball with their backup QB when you could turn around and give it to a hall of fame RB.

[@eap1224]

Two Texas born running backs going at it!

[@j5j553]

When the running backs were making the big bucks!!

[@EpicAMV911]

It's such a statement that he did it against the chargers and LT, who some morons might argue may be in the discussion for greatest RB of all time.

[@ryanfee6486]

Yo why is nobody talking about the 90 yard punt 3:52

[@swimminlikeapig]

I remember being on Skype voice chat with some friends, playing Mario kart Wii at halftime and when AP ran into the red we were so mad. Couldn't be mad at the end of the day for that one haha. A week later everyone has ap shirts, well, the parents who could afford them. Which was like 20. I grew up in a very small town

[@swimminlikeapig]

"ran into the ref"

[@jackinwestchester4455]

Tomlinson is not LT

[@theangrypelican5270]

Classic Rivers choke job.

[@jakelz9885]

The falcons back is the first rookie running back coming into the league that reminds me of Peterson

[@braden_tmoore]

can't believe i was there.

[@Lester_Houston]

Almost a 25% of his season yards were in this game 😎😎😎

[@PhantomEchoes9027]

Adrian Beat-a-son

[@jacobenke7936]

I sometimes forget how scary fast he was.

[@e2rqey]

I guess it's not surprising that the Viking's run defense was some of the best in the league when they were having to practice against Adrian Peterson 🤣

[@jguitar151]

Imagine having ladanian Tomlinson, Antonio gates, and Phillip rivers and winning nothing.

[@fantasticvoyage262]

And Turner and Jackson.

[@fortynights1513]

How good was their defense?

[@briangrewe5147]

He didn’t fumble that game? WOW!

[@roberterlandson8234]

That horse collar tackle prevented a 300 yard game