Peterson Sets Single-Game Rush Record As Vikings Rout Chargers

Nov 04, 05:15 PM

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Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Rookie star Adrian Peterson set a new NFL record by rushing for 296 yards as Minnesota stunned San Diego, 35-17, at the Metrodome

The game was billed as a battle of the NFL's best running back, San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, against his possible heir apparent in Minnesota's Peterson.

If this game is any indication, Tomlinson may have to abdicate his thrown. Peterson was spectacular en route to becoming the first rookie in NFL history to have two 200-plus yard rushing games. Peterson had set the Vikings franchise record earlier this season by gouging the Chicago Bears for 224 yards.

The 296 yards shatters his own Minnesota standard and also surpassed Jamal Lewis, who ran for 295 yards against the Cleveland Browns on September 14, 2003.

The former Oklahoma star, who ran for three touchdowns in the game, has now amassed 1,036 rushing yards on the year in just eight games and helped Minnesota run for a franchise-best 378 yards in the game.

Tarvaris Jackson completed 6-of-12 passes for 63 yards before leaving with an apparent head injury for the Vikings (3-5), who snapped a two-game skid. Jackson, who missed last week's game with a broken finger, was carted off the field late in the second quarter after he was hit at the end of a 10-yard run. He was replaced by Brooks Bollinger, who finished 7-of-10 for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Rookie receiver Sidney Rice had four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota.

Tomlinson had just 40 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries for the Chargers (4-4), who lost for the first time in four games.

Philip Rivers completed just 19-of-42 passes for 197 yards and an interception for the Chargers.

Meanwhile, San Diego's Antonio Cromartie also set a record for the longest play in NFL history Sunday when he returned a missed field goal 109 yards on the final play of the first half.

The Vikings took their first lead of the game late in the third quarter. Minnesota began a six-play, 81-yard march by pounding Peterson inside. San Diego responded by crowding the box and Bollinger found a wide open Rice for a 40-yard touchdown. Bollinger underthrew the rookie receiver a bit but Rice adjusted, tightroped the right sideline and dove to the pylon for the score.

The Chargers reacted by abandoning the running back and taking advantage of the Vikings notoriously poor pass defense. Rivers slowly led the Chargers down field before finally stalling at the Minnesota 17. Nate Kaeding came on and booted a 36-yard field goal to draw San Diego within four. 21-17, with 14:09 left in the game.

Minnesota continued to ride Peterson but at the end of another great run they would have had the ball inside the San Diego 20, the rookie coughed it up and Drayton Florence recovered, giving the Chargers new life.

The Vikings defense held and gave Peterson a chance at redemption. After Mewelde Moore returned a Mike Scifries punt 42 yards to the San Diego 46, Peterson needed just one play to seal things. The former Oklahoma star went off right tackle and quickly got to the sideline before leaving everyone in the dust for a 46-yard TD run to make it 28-17 with 7:44 remaining.

Charles Gordan intercepted Rivers on the Chargers next possession and Minnesota went to work on the ground again. This time it was Chester Taylor, who set up another TD with a 34-yard run, before finishing things by taking it in from two yards out for the final score of the contest.

After an exchange of punts, the Chargers went on top when Tomlinson capped a 10-play, 53-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. It was the 107th career rushing TD for the All-Pro and he passed the legendary Jim Brown for fourth on the all-time NFL list.

The Vikings immediately answered thanks in large part to Aundrae Allison's 62- yard kickoff return. Allison set Minnesota up at the San Diego 39 and five players later Peterson matched Tomlinson by plunging in from a yard out with 2:49 left in the opening quarter.

Things looked like they would remain deadlocked heading to halftime but Vikings coach Brad Childress made an ill-advised decision on the last play of the half. The embattled Vikings coach let veteran Ryan Longwell attempt a 57- yard field goal despite it being clearly out of this range. The Chargers reacted by stationing the athletic Cromartie at the back of the end zone.

Cromartie, who also scored a pair of touchdowns in San Diego's win over Houston last week, caught the ball nine yards deep, immediately raced toward the right sideline and was untouched on his way to the end zone to make it 14-7.

The Vikings managed to even things on their first possession of the second half thanks to the playmaking skills of Peterson. The rookie star burst off left tackle, juked past the second level and squared his shoulders before racing for a 64-yard TD.

Minnesota was given a golden opportunity to take its first lead when Rivers fumbled a snap on the first play of the ensuing possession. Chad Greenway recovered for Minnesota at the Chargers 20 but Taylor returned the favor when he fumbled the ball inside the San Diego five and Marlon McCree recovered for the Chargers.

Game Notes

The Vikings were missing two starters, wide receiver Troy Williamson and cornerback Antoine Winfield. Williamson missed the contest after the death of his grandmother while Winfield was sidelined with a hamstring injury...San Diego cornerback Quentin Jammer was also injured in the game. Jammer pulled a hamstring in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

11/04 18:08:28 ET