Eight years have passed since Adrian Peterson blasted the Chargers with an NFL-record 296 yards in a 35-17 win at the Metrodome.
Forgotten in the record is the fact Peterson stood at 258 yards when the Vikings got the ball back with 6:45 left in the game. Peterson had been pulled from the game and was on the sideline when Chester Taylor carried the ball four straight times for 34, 5, 0 and 2 yards for a touchdown.
The Vikings didn't get the ball back again until 1:58 remained. Peterson got the first carry, which went for 35 yards. He was two yards from the record, yet Taylor got the next carry for six yards.
Then, with 1:04 left and the sideline alerted to where Peterson stood in relation to Jamal Lewis' three-year-old record, Peterson carried the ball one more time, got his three yards and, well, the rest is history.
Peterson was asked today if he ever thinks how far he could have pushed the record had he gotten those six carries that Taylor got in the final 6:45.
"I do," he said. "I'm not going to lie to you. I look back and think, 'Man, I could have been the first guy to go over 300.' Four yards. But, you know, at the end of the day it wasn't meant to happen or it would have happened. But I'll say this: If I get close to 296 or 300 again, I will be asking for it next time."
Peterson's 134-yard game against the Lions on Sunday felt like old times. Today's press conference had a similar feel, with Peterson even fielding a question from defensive end Brian Robison, who wanted to know if Peterson would prefer to fight one grizzly bear or three wolves (answer below).
Asked if it's starting to feel like old times after missing 15 games last season to deal with child-abuse charges, Peterson said: