A Superstar in the Making

In just his fifth professional football game, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had one of the greatest days any professional football player has ever had yesterday. And I went to a friend's house on Long Island and missed the whole thing.

He set a Vikings record with 224 yards rushing, breaking Chuck Foreman's 1976 team record of 200 yards against the Eagles. He scored three TDs of runs of 67, 73 and 35 yards. He also had the third greatest game in terms of all-purpose yards, and it was the most rushing yards any back has ever had against the Chicago Bears in any game in their history. Peterson now has the second most yards in history for a running back after his first five pro games, with only Eric Dickerson gaining more in that short a time.

Despite all of Peterson's heroics, the Vikings needed a 55-yard field goal from Ryan Longwell with 4 seconds left to win it, 34-31. The defense got torched for two Chicago TDs in the final minutes to tie the game at 31. But Peterson took the kickoff after the last TD and returned it 55 yards and that set up Longwell's game-winner. The Vikings are now 2-3, and play the Cowboys in Dallas next Sunday. (And I will be watching!)

It was nothing short of a spectacular game. Every score on the day, either TD or FG, was at least 30 yards or more. Tavaris Jackson passed for just 133 yards, but he threw a 60-yard TD pass to Troy Williamson for the first Vikings score in the first quarter.

But it was a day for the ages for Peterson, who has clearly taken the number one running back position away from Chester Taylor. They have to be careful with Peterson, but he looks like a lock for Rookie of the Year right now.