Peterson set for NFL rushing title

Adrian Peterson should take home the first NFL rushing title in Vikings history on Sunday. He has a lead that would seem to be safe, as his young, storied career adds more honors.

Barring some kind of miracle game from Atlanta’s Michael Turner Sunday, Adrian Peterson is going to set Vikings history. The Vikings have had some tremendous running backs in their history, but they have never had the league’s leading rusher … until now.

With one game to play, Peterson has 1,657 yards rushing. That total is 166 yards more than Turner and 250 yards more than third-place Clinton Portis. Barring something completely unforeseen, Peterson will wrap up his first rushing title and the first for the franchise.

In less than two years with the team, Peterson has established just about every rushing record the team has. He holds the franchise single-season rushing record, the NFL single-game record and the team record for 100-yard games in a season. Much in the same way Randy Moss re-wrote the record books for young wide receivers, you get much the same sensation watching Peterson – as terrific as he has been so far, the best could be yet to come.

While Peyton Manning seems to be pulling away from the competition in the race for Most Valuable Player, a case could be made that Peterson deserves the award as much as anyone. In a game in which both offensive and defensive coaches stress the importance of establishing the run on offense and stopping the run on defense, Peterson has made it virtually impossible for teams to make the Vikings offense one-dimensional. Through 29 career games, Peterson has averaged more than 100 yards rushing per game and is starting to accrue incentive bonus money on his contract thanks to his achievements.

As Peterson becomes the first Viking in history to win a league rushing title Sunday, can an MVP award be far behind?

SATURDAY NOTES

Ryan Cook will get another start Sunday at right tackle. Artis Hicks, who is recovering from a triceps injury, is expected to be limited at best Sunday.

The final injury reports were released. The only Viking listed as out is DT Pat Williams. Three others – Bernard Berrian (ankle), Hicks (elbow) and return man Darius Reynaud (foot) – are listed as questionable. Five others – Jared Allen (knee), Gus Frerotte (back), Maurice Hicks (back), Darren Sharper (knee) and Cedric Griffin (illness) – are listed as probable.

For the Giants, CB Aaron Ross (concussion) and LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee) were both listed as out. Tight end Kevin Boss (ankle/concussion) is listed as doubtful, while DT Barry Cofield (knee), RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) and OT Kareem McKenzie (back) are listed as questionable. Defensive linemen Fred Robbins (shoulder) and Justin Tuck (leg) are listed as probable.

Griffin suffered what were described as flu-like symptoms Friday and missed practice. His place was taken by Marcus McCauley.

The Giants have never lost a game played in a domed stadium with Tom Coughlin as head coach. They are currently 7-0 in domes.