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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Vikings don’t help Peterson

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS – Many of Adrian Peterson’s Minnesota teammates had already showered and dressed, eager to get out of a somber locker room after a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Yet nearly 30 minutes after the 23-14 defeat ended, Peterson still sat in front of his locker in full uniform, staring blankly at his hands.

Those big shoulder pads he wore carried the Vikings offense to an NFC North title and playoff berth this season.

But in the first postseason game of his sterling young career, Peterson found out that not even his near limitless talents are enough without a quarterback to help him.

Peterson rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries against the Eagles, but was completely shut down by Philly’s nasty defense in the second half as the Vikings wilted in the postseason heat.

The league’s leading rusher managed just 17 yards on eight carries in the second half.

“There were opportunities out there that I felt I left on the field and I’m sick about it,” Peterson said. “In a game like this, you can’t leave anything on the field. I know, personally, I’m going to learn a lot from this and try to omit those plays and move forward.”

With Tarvaris Jackson reverting to the form that got him benched three games into the season, the Eagles were able to devote most of their attention to stymieing Peterson.

Peterson scored on a 40-yard run early in the second quarter and added a 3-yard TD late in the half to cut Philly’s lead to 16-14.

From there on out, there was nowhere to run.