Adrian Peterson is coming for John Riggins

adrian_peterson_redskins
Photo credit Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Another week and another excellent output from Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson, who piled up 120 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns.

It was the 52nd time in his career that he had reached 100 yards in a game, but he said it still felt good to get his first one of the season.

Adrian Peterson is the best running back the #Redskins have had since Alfred Morris back in 2012, and I'm not even sure how much of that was Morris as opposed to scheme. Peterson's vision and jump cuts are legendary.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 24, 2018

The two scores helped put away the Green Bay Packers at home, but they also moved him further up the all-time NFL rushing touchdown list. He came into the day at an even 100 rushing touchdowns, tied with Hall of Famers Shaun Alexander and Marshall Faulk.

Now, with 102, Peterson is in sole possession of seventh all-time, and has an opportunity to tie and leapfrog Redskins legend John Riggins (104) as early as Week 5, when the team returns from their Bye Week. Barry Sanders, who he passed on Sunday, was gracious in his congratulations:

Congrats to @AdrianPeterson on passing me and several others to get to 101 career rushing TD's & counting... AND He is having a monster game too against the @packers

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) September 23, 2018

Although this may not be fair for the 33-year-old back, Peterson is currently on track for 1,259 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

Sixteen scores would put him at 115 for his career, which would be fourth all-time, leapfrogging Riggins, Jim Brown (106) and Walter Payton (110) in the process. That would leave just Marcus Allen (123), LaDainian Tomlinson (145) and Emmitt Smith (164) left before reaching the all-time rushing touchdown record. That ultimate goal is likely still multiple seasons away.

The 1,259 yards would also move him up the all-time rushing yards list to 13,535, which would be eighth all-time, surpassing Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett (12,739) and Eric Dickerson (13,259) in the process. Even then, he would still have Jerome Bettis (13,662), Tomlinson (13,684), Curtis Martin (14,101), Frank Gore (14,112 and rising), Barry Sanders (15,269), Payton (16,726) and Smith (18,355) to challenge for the all-time rushing title.

For now, Peterson has Riggins in his sights for touchdowns and Dorsett for yards. That seems like more than enough.

“It felt good to get into ‘The 100 Club,'" he said of his 100th touchdown. "I have a little time off now. Maybe I can look and see who I’m approaching. Riggins, he’s a guy that I do remember seeing up there on the list and thinking, 'God willing, I’ll be able to pass him eventually.'"

"I kinda simplify it for myself: go out there and execute the gameplan. Within that, you have the opportunity to pass guys and accomplish some great things. That right there is my main focus when I step on the field."

Peterson told the media after the game on Sunday that he had met Riggins already in his short time with the team and asked him about how he took care of himself with such a long career.

"He said, 'Taking care of my body and having the mindset that you've still got it,'" Peterson recounted. "It's that determination, and most importantly, playing with heart. Those are some of the things that keep my going.

"It's always good to get the confirmation from guys who have done it before."

 

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