Football fiction, for now

Some might consider 2007 a rebuilding year for the Vikings. You might be concerned that focus on the running game will make for some yawn-inducing moments this season. But this is NFL football, right? It's got to be fun or it's not worth watching. With that goal in mind, reporter Kevin Seifert takes an imaginary — or maybe not so fantasied — look at just how entertaining the running game could be.

SEPT. 9 VS. ATLANTA, NOON

New QB Tarvaris Jackson sets a modern-day record by attempting two passes. RB Chester Taylor carries 47 times for 93 yards. Falcons QB Joey Harrington throws four interceptions, the last of which is returned 7 yards for a touchdown by DT Pat Williams in the Vikings' 7-0 victory.

SEPT. 16 AT DETROIT, 3:05 P.M.

Hoping to recapture the magic of yesteryear, the Vikings open in a wishbone set that includes the burly and unheralded Jeff Dugan. But as the Vikings nurse a 10-9 lead, Dugan collides with Jackson in unfortunate Joe Pisarcik-like fashion. The ball dribbles out of the back of the end zone for a game-losing safety.

SEPT. 23 AT KANSAS CITY, NOON

Just before kickoff, coaches Herm Edwards and Brad Childress announce a side bet: The first team to 30 carries wins the game. After the first quarter, Chiefs RB Larry Johnson, left, leads Vikings RB Adrian Peterson 28-17. But Taylor takes off in the second quarter, ripping off 13 consecutive runs of 4 yards apiece to clinch victory.

SEPT. 30 VS. GREEN BAY, NOON

Jackson sets a season high by passing for 87 yards and his first touchdown of the season, a 1-yard bullet to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. But questions arise when Taylor, who gets a season-low 28 carries in the victory, tells reporters that he wants a bigger role.

OCT. 7 BYE WEEK

Players are off. Coaches? Under the cloak of darkness, they're "tweaking" the scheme.

OCT. 14 AT CHICAGO, NOON

Shocking the world, the Vikings open in their own version of the spread offense: two receivers, two tight ends and Mewelde Moore at running back. Jackson opens in the shotgun and throws a perfect game of sorts: nine series, 0-for-3 on each possession, 0-for-27 in the loss. Coaches kick themselves.

OCT. 21 AT DALLAS, NOON

Ah, back to basics — and then some. The Vikings implement their new offense: no quarterback, two tight ends, four running backs. C Matt Birk snaps it to the back of his choice, but Cowboys coach Wade Phillips halts the attack with an 11-man line.

OCT. 28 VS. PHILADELPHIA, NOON

Two old friends, Childress and Eagles coach Andy Reid, get together for a battle of wills. Some say Reid's Eagles throw it too much, and sure enough, QB Donovan McNabb tosses 30 passes — in the first half — and nearly eclipses Jackson's seven-game total. Taylor's 75 yards on 34 carries are not enough.

NOV. 4 VS. SAN DIEGO, NOON

The Vikings' goal is to finish with more carries than Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson has total yards. Tomlinson's 48-yard dash in the fourth quarter gives him 124 yards. Taylor (45 carries, 87 yards) and Peterson (25 and 90) report immediately for traction.

NOV. 11 AT GREEN BAY, NOON

With Taylor and Peterson nursing their bruised bodies, the Vikings let Jackson cut it loose. He has 29 passes with 3:24 left. But with a 10-point lead, Childress opts against embarrassing the Packers any further.

NOV. 18 VS. OAKLAND, NOON

The Metrodome crowd boos the Mahatma (Daunte Culpepper) after he writes in an e-mail that his real reason for leaving Minnesota was concern he would be converted to running back. Culpepper passes for only 73 yards and fumbles four times after a pregame handshake with Peterson, known for his firm grip, leaves him with three broken fingers.

NOV. 25 AT N.Y. GIANTS, NOON

The Vikings find new ways to use their top weapons, assigning Peterson to return kicks and Taylor to take back punts. Taylor's 5-yard return in the fourth quarter puts the Vikings in position to tie, but Peterson, gasping for breath on his 22nd consecutive carry, passes out just before taking a handoff.

DEC. 2 VS. DETROIT, NOON

Although they are battling the Lions for third place in the NFC North, the Vikings take the rare step of resting both Taylor and Peterson. Taylor undergoes a double-shoulder transplant, while Peterson spends a sixth day strapped to an oxygen tank. Mewelde Moore runs 57 times for 70 yards in the loss, including a 60-yarder on a lateral from Jackson.

DEC. 9 AT SAN FRANCISCO, 3:05 P.M.

Fully recovered, Peterson sets an NFL record with 42 consecutive carries on a muddy day at Candlestick Park. Taylor starts at wide receiver to lessen the pounding on his new titanium shoulders. He catches three of Jackson's seven passes, and the Vikings win when the 49ers fall for a Statue of Liberty play.

DEC. 17 VS. CHICAGO, 7:30 P.M.

Bears LB Brian Urlacher is steaming after hearing Peterson say in a news conference, "Running the ball is like making romance." Determined to defend Walter Payton's honor, Urlacher tackles Peterson 29 times and Taylor 18 times in a Bears rout.

DEC. 23 VS. WASHINGTON, NOON

Taylor calls together the offense during pregame warmups and says two words: Fred Smoot. Indeed, Smoot, left, misses a league-record 37 tackles as Taylor and Peterson target his side of the field. Jackson lobbies Childress to throw a deep pass against Smoot. They compromise with a screen to Peterson than goes for 50 yards.

DEC. 30 AT DENVER, 3:15 P.M.

The Vikings utilize a little-known NFL rule that allows them to bring an oxygen tank into the huddle as long as they count it as one of 11 players. Sending WR Bobby Wade to the sideline (denying him a chance to hit double digits in receptions for the season), the Vikings keep Peterson and Taylor oxygenated in an exciting upset victory at Invesco Field.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com