Minnesota Vikings

Peterson eyes Simpsons' spot among NFL's top 20 rushers of all time

Published Nov. 17, 2015 4:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson keeps climbing the NFL's all-time leader board for career rushing yards. Last Sunday, he passed Warrick Dunn to move into 21st place. Now his sights are set on the top 20.

Peterson needs 86 yards to pass O.J. Simpson, who currently ranks 20th on the all-time leader board with 11,236 career rushing yards.

"It feels good," Peterson said after rushing for 203 yards against the Oakland Raiders in Week 10, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. "O.J.'s a guy that I looked up to. Obviously, he did incredible things during his career, and to be able to tie him and to look forward to passing him, it's a great accomplishment. It would mean a lot. He's No. 20 (all time in rushing), and that's how you get to No. 1. So you keep taking these steps, and you're seeing the guys that you're passing, so it's humbling."

Peterson could move into the top 20 against the Green Bay Packers this weekend, since he has averaged over 100 yards per game against them over the course of his career. At his current rate, he could end up in the top 15 by the end of the season.

Like every other running back that has ever played the game, Peterson wants to retire as the NFL's all-time leading rusher. However, he still trails Emmett Smith's record (18,355) by more than 7,000 yards.

It's a long trip to the top, but the 30-year-old running back is still chipping away.