Adrian Peterson vs. Todd Gurley

Adrian Peterson vs. Todd Gurley

We’re all excited to see the Minnesota Vikings take on the St. Louis Rams. Both teams have similar coaching styles and they both have outstanding defensive lines. But what fans of both teams and most of the NFL are talking about is the matchup between veteran running back Adrian Peterson and rookie Todd Gurley.

The similarities between Peterson and Gurley are uncanny. Peterson stands at 6’1”, 220 lbs; Gurley is 6’1, 227lbs. They have unreal athleticism that they are able to combine with their powerful running style to assure that they get the big plays needed.

Peterson was selected 7th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie season he set the NFL’s single-game rushing record when he ran for 296 yards vs. San Diego. Peterson also rushed for 100+ yards his first four of five games, which at the time, made him the only player in NFL history to do so. He went on to earn the NFL MVP in 2012. And in Week 9, Peterson is third in the NFL in rushing yards with 633, he has 90.4 rushing yards per game and 140 rushing attempts, he also ranks fourth in runs of 20 yards with six and has three 100-yard rushing games on the season.

Gurley was taken 10th in the 2015 NFL Draft, and just like Peterson, he has also started his career with a bang. He is the only rookie in NFL history with 125 rushing yards in each of first four starts and has three rushing TDs in the past two games. Gurley ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards with 575, first in rushing yards per game with 115 and tied for second with seven runs of 20 yards

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Peterson and Gurley have spent much of the week down playing how big this is going to be. But think about this. If Gurley gets 95 yards rushing and/or 3 rushing TDs, he will surpass the numbers Peterson put up in his first six games as a pro. So needless to say, this is a big deal for all involved.

But the veteran Peterson is only focused on what he’s going to bring on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium, “I’m going to continue to do what I’ve been doing, and I plan on putting my best foot forward,” Peterson said “I can say a little more effort just because I know this young guy is going to come in here pretty excited to play.”