Chargers have 296 reasons to remember Vikings' No. 28

Adrian Peterson says he rarely pops in the tape.

Still, his recollection of his 296-yard rushing performance against the San Diego Chargers in 2007 -- an NFL record -- feels so fresh. But who could forget?

"It's been a minute, it's been a minute [since I've watched the film]," Peterson said with a chuckle. "But I've seen some highlights and stuff over the past couple years."

When the Vikings open their season at San Diego on Sunday -- their first game against the Chargers since Peterson broke the single-game rushing mark during his rookie season four years ago -- No. 28 will still be the focus of the team's offense.

There's a new quarterback, a new scheme, new receivers, new blockers and a new coordinator, but Peterson is the department store anchoring the franchise's megamall -- albeit one that's still under construction.

That 296-yard effort (253 after halftime), and the other dazzling days that followed have led to a high level of dependence on the fifth-year back.

"I'm sure their coach, especially their defensive coordinator, is getting those guys pumped up. They know. It's not a secret," Peterson said.

Peterson's output against the Chargers that year led to preliminary conversations about his best-ever potential.

That afternoon at the Metrodome, Peterson sprinted through the Chargers defense and pulled within 4 yards of cracking the mythical 300-yard barrier in Year 1 of his professional career.

Privileged spectators still smile about their front-row perches for football history. Ryan Longwell said the sidelines buzzed as Peterson accrued more and more yards.

"It just seemed like the mundane little handoffs were going for 5 or 10 more yards than they should normally be," the Vikings kicker said. "When you add those all up, all of a sudden, we found out in the fourth quarter that he was close."

Peterson capped his accomplishment with touchdown runs of 64 and 46 yards, both in the second half. Chargers coach Norv Turner didn't have any schemes to cut down fate.

But the Chargers upgraded the NFL's top-ranked defense in 2010 over the offseason by adding veterans Takeo Spikes, Travis LaBoy and Na'il Diggs, three of the 11 linebackers the team kept on its 53-man roster.

Bob Sanders, who has missed 39 of 48 games over the past four years, will add moxie to San Diego's strong safety spot if he can stay healthy.

And some of the Chargers have tried to attach an asterisk to Peterson's performance because defensive anchors Shaun Phillips and Luis Castillo were injured that day.

Peterson said he expects the Chargers to play inspired football given the damage they incurred the last time they saw him. Doesn't mean it will make a difference.

"I'm actually pretty cool with [San Diego linebacker Stephen Cooper] and Phillips. I see those guys in the offseason from time to time," Peterson said.