Adrian Peterson, after getting 18 yards on eight carries: ‘They outcoached us’

Adrian Peterson is the NFL’s leading rusher. He has 1,182 yards in 245 carries -- but only 18 of those yards and eight of those carries came during the Minnesota Vikings’ 38-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

After the game, Peterson had plenty of compliments for the Seahawks as well as a thinly veiled jab at his own team, presumably for not giving him the ball enough.

“They were just the better team,” Peterson said. “They were more aggressive, more physical, and they outcoached us as well.”

Asked to elaborate on that last part, Peterson said, “In so many different areas.”

Two weeks ago, Peterson reportedly met with the Vikings coaching staff after getting the ball only 13 times for 45 yards in a 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Against the Seahawks, the star running back carried the ball twice during the Vikings’ first drive, a three-and-out, then had a run and a catch on a five-play drive and two runs and a catch on an eight-play drive.

So in the Vikings’ first three drives, Peterson had seven touches for 15 yards. Their fourth possession came in the final two minutes of the half and started on their own 14, so there were no rushing opportunities.

By the time the second half started, Minnesota was down, 21-0, and started looking toward the pass in an attempt to climb back into the game. So Peterson finished the game with a career-low in carries (in games that he’s started and finished), to go with four catches for six yards.

Peterson was asked after the game if he thought eight carries was enough. He answered, “What do you think?”