Sports

Chart: Peterson and the all-time greats

September 1, 2013 at 2:03AM

Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson (32), inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1985, takes the handoff during a game in 1971. O.J. Simpson - Buffalo Bills File Photos (AP Photo/NFL Photos) ORG XMIT: NFLNY01 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Last year Adrian Peterson became the seventh NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. If history is a guide, it will be difficult for Peterson to duplicate his 2012 season.

1. ERIC DICKERSON, Rams

19841985

Games1614

Attempts379292

TDs1412

Per carry5.64.2

Per game131.688.1

Dickerson missed first two games of 1985 in a contract dispute; he rebounded to gain 1,821 yards in 1986.

2. ADRIAN PETERSON, Vikings

20122013

Games16- Attempts348-

TDs12-

Per carry6.0-

Per game131.1-

Peterson set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a month when he piled up 861 last December.

3. JAMAL LEWIS, Ravens

20032004

Games1612

Attempts387235

TDs147

Per carry5.34.3

Per game129.183.8

Lewis served a two-game suspension in 2004 for a drug-related conviction related to an incident four years earlier.

4. BARRY SANDERS, Lions

19971998

Games1616

Attempts335343

TDs114

Per carry6.14.3

Per game128.393.2

Sanders retired abruptly after the 1998 season.

5. TERRELL DAVIS, Broncos

19981999

Games164

Attempts39267

TDs212

Per carry5.13.1

Per game125.552.8

Davis tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in the fourth game in 1999 and never ran for 1,000 yards in a season again.

6. CHRIS JOHNSON, Titans

20092010

Games1616

Attempts358316

TDs1411

Per carry5.64.3

Per game125.485.3

Johnson set the NFL record in 2009 for most yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving) with 2,509.

7. O.J. SIMPSON, Bills

19731974

Games1414

Attempts332270

TDs123

Per carry6.04.2

Per game143.180.4

"The Juice" is the only player to rush for 2,000 yards in a 14-game season. Teams started playing 16 in 1978.

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, center, hops over teammate Adam Terry, right, as he is chased by Philadelphia Eagles Matt McCoy, left, and Dhani Jones, second from left, during the first quarter of their pre-season football game in Baltimore, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006.(AP Photo/Chris Gardner) ORG XMIT: BAF101 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) ORG XMIT: NYOTK (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis carries the ball against the New York Jets during the second half of the AFC Championship Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. Davis rushed for 167 yards and one touchdown in the Broncos 23-10 win. The Broncos will play the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII on Sunday, Jan. 31, in Miami.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) ORG XMIT: DXS201 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FILE--Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson breaks away from Tamp Bay Buccaneer defender Ricky Easmon (26) in this Oct. 6, 1986 file photo in Anaheim, Calif. Dickerson is one of 76 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame it was announced Thursday, Oct. 29, 1998. Dickerson, who ran for a record 2,105 yards for the Rams in 1984, stands third on the career rushing list with 13,259 yards and rushed for at least 1,000 yards seven times. Dickerson played for the Rams, Colts and Raiders.(AP Photo/Lennox Mclendon) ORG XMIT: MIN2012122014391909 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders (20) looks for running room against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., Sunday, Nov. 16, 1997. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) ORG XMIT: POS103 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) in the second quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - December 30, 2012 ‚Äì Mall of America Field ‚Äì The Metrodome - Minneapolis, Minn, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers ORG XMIT: MIN1212302029582237 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)