Peterson powers Vikings to victory
He passes O.J. on career rushing list
ATLANTA — Adrian Peterson was still miffed about his performance the previous week.
He took it out on the Atlanta Falcons.
Bouncing back from a tough loss to Green Bay, Peterson ran for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Minnesota Vikings beat the slumping Falcons 20-10 on Sunday.
Minnesota (8-3) jumped ahead on Peterson’s 1-yard run in the opening quarter, and clinched it when he got loose on a 35-yard scamper down the sideline with 4:15 remaining in the game.
“We took it personal, the loss last week,” Peterson said.
In the 30-13 setback to the Packers, he was held to 45 yards — his lowest output since Week 1. He also had a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter.
“It was an opportunity for us to get into the end zone, and I ruined it,” Peterson recalled. “Coming in here, just being conscious of holding the ball tight, and taking advantage of any opportunities they present me with.”
Against the Falcons (6-5), who came in with the league’s top-ranked defense against the run, Peterson ripped off his sixth 100-yard game of the season. He also moved to 18th on the NFL career rushing list with 11,354 yards, passing O.J. Simpson (11,236), Corey Dillon (11,241) and John Riggins (11,352).
“I just come in and try to focus on doing my job and helping my team win,” Peterson said. “I’ll be able to look at those things after the fact.”
For Matt Ryan, it was another disappointing day. The Falcons quarterback threw two more interceptions — he’s got five in the past two games — and heard perhaps the loudest boos of his career from the home crowd after a pick in the end zone.
Atlanta has lost five of its past six games, including four straight, and is in danger of becoming one of the few teams in NFL history to start 5-0 and miss the playoffs.
“It starts with me,” Ryan said. “I’ve got to know when to throw the ball away, cut my losses, and take the field goal.”
The Vikings reclaimed a one-game lead over Green Bay in the NFC North.