It has already been a tough week for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. After all, he does share a locker room with five Notre Dame players all still gloating over the Fighting Irish’s 30-13 Saturday blowout of Oklahoma.
“Rough week for me,” Peterson said, “and for my pockets. It is what it is.”
Now, Peterson faces another big challenge with today’s game in Seattle. The Seahawks’ defense ranks fifth in the league against the run. The top backs from their first eight opponents have averaged just 47 yards.
Peterson called the Seahawks defense “stout” and “aggressive.” But he also feels like he’s in a groove, the NFL’s leading rusher and coming off consecutive 100-yard games against Arizona and Tampa Bay.
“Each week I’m improving, getting better,” Peterson said. “I wouldn’t sit here and say (I’m) back in a groove. I feel like I’ve been in a groove the entire season so far.”
The rushing lead is something Peterson is proud of but doesn’t overvalue, especially at this stage of the season.
“I’ve said all the time, when I worked during the offseason, I work to be the best,” he said. “So I take a lot of pride in it. But it’s still a long season. I’m not focusing on that.”
Peterson is raising the bar for what he can accomplish as he continues to improve.
“I’m doing what I’ve got to do to help my team succeed. That’s rushing for 100 yards, 80 yards, 60 yards receiving. Three-hundred yards rushing, I’m going to try to get it done.”
Really, Adrian? Three hundred yards?
“Yeah, yeah,” Peterson affirmed. “It’s possible. Come on now. You know that.”
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