Red-zone fumble is humbling gaffe for Peterson

Adrian Peterson reached 4,000 yards rushing faster than any player in Vikings history on Sunday, and he also got caught from behind on a breakaway run.

Yep, truly a historic day.

Peterson said he felt "sick" after getting caught and stripped of the ball, but his performance still ended on a high note with a 27-10 victory over the Lions at the Metrodome.

Peterson rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. But he also was credited with two fumbles, including one that prevented what would have been a highlight-reel touchdown run.

"In the NFL when you are playing good teams you definitely know there are going to be ups and downs so you can't be caught up and still be looking behind you," Peterson said. "You have to play the next play."

Peterson was involved in a handful of big plays -- both good and bad -- including his 22-yard TD run in the second quarter. Lions defensive end Jason Hunter grabbed Peterson by the helmet at the line, but he managed to break free and race into the end zone.

Peterson looked like he would add an even more spectacular touchdown run later in the quarter when he broke four tackles near the line and headed for what would have been a 61-yard touchdown run.

But Detroit cornerback Phillip Buchanon chased Peterson down and caught him at the 18. Buchanon, in his eighth NFL season and first with the Lions, grabbed the back of Peterson's shoulder pads with his left hand and punched the ball out with his right hand. The ball bounced into the end zone, and the Lions recovered.

"He made a great play," Peterson said. "I was open, swinging the ball. He came and punched the ball out. I wanted to punch him, but you have to give him credit."

Peterson said he couldn't remember the last time someone caught him behind.

"Can you?" he asked a reporter.

Peterson said he didn't hear or feel Buchanon closing on him as he raced down the sideline. "I was caught off guard," he said.

Players often look at the Jumbotron in those situations to see if anyone is close behind them. Peterson didn't do that.

"Maybe I should have done that this time," he said. "Sometimes those guys are fast, too."

It was Peterson's second fumble of the game; he was credited with an earlier one when Percy Harvin dropped his toss on a reverse play.

"We were both moving at a pretty good speed," Peterson said. "I just have to do a better job of getting the ball to him. That one was on me."

Peterson has fumbled the ball seven times and lost five in the past four games against the Lions. The one forced by Buchanon was particularly frustrating.

"I was sick for a minute walking to the sideline," Peterson said.

Quarterback Brett Favre said he was amazed by the effort from both Peterson and Buchanon on that play.

"Phillip Buchanon can run, made a great play," Favre said. "Adrian, he'll be killing himself all night over that, but the guy, he's amazing. He really is, the way that he can stop and go. I think he will be the first to tell you there are some things that he wishes he could have done better, but you can't bottle him up for too long."