The line on legendary Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson in week 1: 19 carries for 31 yards, a 1.6 yards-per-carry average. His longest run against the Tennessee Titans was seven yards, and he had no catches.
This was Peterson’s fourth-least productive rushing game going back to his rookie year of 2007. His career average is 4.9 yards per rush and last year that average was 4.5.
Historically, only a handful of running backs over 30 have been able to perform without a considerable drop off in productivity – and Peterson is 31.
Though the Vikings won comfortably in week 1 despite a down game by their star, the result is a bit deceiving. Minnesota caused three turnovers while yielding none. Their only two touchdowns on the day were, in fact, scored by their defense.
Will the celebration of the team’s new stadium inspire the aging superstar? Will the loss of Vikings’ QB Teddy Bridgewater allow the Packers, and others, to focus on stifling Minnesota’s running game?
Though we are only one week into the 2016 season, the Packers’ defense leads the league in both fewest rushing yards allowed (48) and lowest yards per rush (1.8).
If Green Bay can contain Peterson, an important divisional win should be the result.