LANDOVER, Md. – Adrian Peterson called last week’s lopsided loss to Indianapolis the most dispiriting defeat he’s been associated with during his 12-year NFL career.
It was humbling, embarrassing and confusing. And in the hours after the game, Peterson didn’t know what to think about his new team.
But he does now: the Redskins, Peterson said following Washington’s 31-17 win over Green Bay, are capable of beating anyone, even Aaron Rodgers and perennially potent Packers, when they’re properly prepared, sufficiently energized and singularly focused.
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They were all of those things Sunday.
“It was the focus,” Peterson said. “The energy level that we had, it was evident coming into the locker room.”
“This whole week,” he added, “I knew there was no way that we were going to come out and be flat today. The most important thing is playing smart football and executing. You have to play fast and physical for four quarters. And we did that. I feel that if we do that every week, we’re going to have a chance to win every game that we are a part of.”
On a soggy afternoon at FedEx Field, Peterson made sure that he played a pivotal role in the Redskins’ bounce back performance, rushing for 120 yards on 19 carries (6.3-yard average). It was his first 100-plus yard effort as Redskin.
Peterson also rushed for a pair of scores to continue his climb up the all-time list. He now has 102, moving him past Marshall Faulk and Shaun Alexander and into sole possession of seventh place on the all-time rushing list.
Up next? Redskins’ great and Hall of Famer John Riggins, who has 104.
That was rushing touchdown No. 101 for Adrian Peterson. He’s now in sole possession of 7th…and closing in on John Riggins. #Redskins pic.twitter.com/DbjUniVXNZ
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 23, 2018
Peterson acknowledged that his place in football history wasn’t on his mind Sunday, but he says that he’ll use the bye week to study up.
“I have a little time off now, so maybe I can look and see who I am approaching,” he said with a grin. “Riggins is a guy I do remember seeing out there, and on the list, and thinking about whether I am able to pass him eventually.”
Peterson met Riggins at the team’s welcome home luncheon last month and said he used the opportunity to pick Riggins’ brain.
Riggins had three 1,000-plus yard seasons after his 30th birthday. Peterson, 33, already has one and is hoping to author another this fall. With rushing totals of 96, 20 and 120 in the season’s first three weeks, he’s on his way.
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“I just asked [Riggins], ‘I know you were a running back that was [playing] over 30,” Peterson recalled. “You know how it is, how they look down on us. What kept you focused? He was like, ‘Taking care of my body, having the mindset that you still got it, that determination. And most importantly, playing real hard.’”
It would have been tough to find anyone who played harder Sunday than Peterson, who produced four of the Redskins’ 10 longest plays from scrimmage.
Playing behind an offensive line that Peterson said was “night and day” better than it was against the Colts, his big day started early. In the second quarter, he burst around the right end for a 41-yard gain that was reminiscent of his younger days with Minnesota. That drive ended with an Alex Smith touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder that put the Redskins ahead 21-3.
Then, late in the waning minutes of the Redskins’ upset, Peterson helped close out the Packers with a few clutch runs, including a 17-yarder that all but scuttled any hope the visitors might have harbored.
“When we needed it most, Adrian was able to make a big impact,” Gruden said.
Like he always does against the Packers. In fact, Peterson now owns 52 career 100-yard rushing efforts. Nine of those have come against Green Bay.
“I don’t know man, I don’t know,” Peterson said of his prolific performances vs. the Packers. “I don’t have anything against them. It’s all about getting that ‘W’. I guess it just happens.”
Fortunately for the Redskins, it happened again Sunday.
“We bounced back,” Peterson said. “That was the worst game I’ve been a part of, last week. For the guys to bounce back and come in and raise the focus with a great Green Bay team coming in, it shows the guys are resilient. I see the talent. Obviously, we knew last week was terrible. No one was happy about that performance. It was all about realizing that and fixing some things and coming out and having a complete game. I think offensively we did that, as well as defensively and special teams. It was a good, collective effort today.”
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(Photo Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
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