Adrian Peterson’s 134 yards sparks Vikings to 26-16 win over Lions

MINNEAPOLIS Adrian Peterson is a nonfactor no more. The Vikings running back rushed for 134 yards on 29 carries in a 26-16 win over the Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After he got just 10 carries last Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings started the game with three straight running plays to Peterson. The running back rushed for 45 yards on seven carries during that opening drive, which was capped off with a five-yard touchdown reception by tight end Kyle Rudolph.

The Vikings doubled their lead, to 14-0, early in the second quarter when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ran the ball into the end zone from a yard out on fourth down.

The Lions chipped away at the lead, pulling to within 17-10 just before halftime. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who was trailed by cornerback Xavier Rhodes for much of the game, posted up Rhodes in the end zone. Quarterback Matthew Stafford rocketed it into the tight window and Johnson made a tiptoe catch along the left sideline.

The teams combined for four fumbles in a sloppy third quarter. Two of those fumbles squirted out of the hands of Peterson, including one near the Lions’ goal line that was nullified by an offsides penalty on Lions defensive end Jason Jones.

On the play following Peterson’s goal-life gaffe, fullback Zach Line plunged into the end zone for a touchdown to put the Vikings up, 23-10. But Blair Walsh missed the ensuing extra point.

The Lions scored a late touchdown to pull within 10 points, but the Vikings recovered their onside kick attempt and ran out the clock to seal the victory.

Six days after getting trampled for 230 rushing yards against the 49ers, the Vikings kept electric rookie Ameer Abdullah and his fellow Lions running backs in check in the win. The Lions averaged just 2.4 yards per pop on their 16 carries.

The Vikings (1-1) host the San Diego Chargers (1-1) at TCF Bank Stadium next weekend.

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