MINNEAPOLIS – The superlatives were coming fast and furious this week as the Giants took a look on film and then offered their opinions on Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,657 yards.
“He would get our vote [for MVP],” Antonio Pierce said. “You watch on film and it is a highlight reel.”
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Last week, the Giants struggled dealing with Panthers backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, whose 2,117 combined yards are the most by teammates this season. They combined for 137 yards and Williams ran for four touchdowns, but the Giants won in overtime, 34-28.
This afternoon, the assignment for the Giants defense is to contain Peterson and Chester Taylor, who have combined for 2,046 rushing yards, second-best in the league. The Giants duo of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward are third at 2,037 yards.
“Having a two-headed monster at running back is always tough,” linebacker Danny Clark said. “One guy gets tired and another one comes back in and there is no drop-off. Of course, Adrian Peterson is the guy we focus on most and then on third down they use Chester Taylor a whole lot with screens and draws. He is just as dynamic as Adrian. We definitely have to keep our eyes open for him.”
Peterson needs just two yards to become only the fifth back in NFL history to run for more than 3,000 yards in his first two seasons and just the fourth to lead his conference in rushing in each of his first two years.
“The guy has everything – speed, power, cutting ability and vision,” Pierce said. “I never played against Barry Sanders in his prime or Emmitt Smith, but this guy has the most complete package I’ve seen out of a running back. He’s a big back, so we have our hands full.”
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Two starters definitely will not play: CB Aaron Ross (concussion) and TE Kevin Boss (ankle, concussion). . . . The visiting team has won the last five games in this series, the Giants winning in the Metrodome in 2002, ’03 and ’04. . . . The Giants are 7-0 in domed stadiums under coach Tom Coughlin (6-0 in the regular season, plus Super Bowl XLII).