National Football League

Vikes' Peterson ahead of 2012 pace that yielded over 2,000 yards

Published Nov. 16, 2015 2:55 p.m. ET

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Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson shocked the NFL when he returned from a major knee injury to claim the 2012 rushing title -- and a league MVP -- with 2,097 yards. That figure was only eight yards shy of the all-time record, and it was one of only three 2,000-yard rushing seasons since the turn of the century.

A season like that is only supposed to come once in a career, but take a look at Peterson's current pace compared to his production through nine games in 2012.

Adrian Peterson through 9 games in 2012: 957 rushing yards Adrian Peterson through 9 games in 2015: 961 rushing yards #Vikings
— Phillip Nelson (@nelsonphil82) November 16, 2015

Peterson rushed for 1,140 yards in the final seven games of the 2012 season (162.9 yards per game). His season-high, 203-yard outing against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday could be a sign that a similar explosion is imminent.

Peterson currently leads the league with 961 rushing yards. He's 227 yards ahead of Chris Johnson, the next closest player. He will likely go over 1,000 total yards Sunday against the Packers, whose run defense is ranked 24th in the NFL (116.2 yards per game).

(h/t @GoesslingESPN)