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Adrian Peterson Falls Just Short of Eric Dickerson

USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson gave it a go, but he fell just short of one of the National Football League's most hallowed records.

One year to the day that he had surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, the Minnesota Vikings' running back came just nine yards short of Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. He finished with 2,097. . .but I'm guessing he doesn't care because the Minnesota Vikings are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

The following is a list of all of the running backs in NFL history that have amassed 2,000 or more yards in a season.

Player Team Year Yardage
Eric Dickerson Rams 1984 2,105
Adrian Peterson Vikings 2012 2,097
Jamal Lewis Ravens 2003 2,066
Barry Sanders Lions 1997 2,053
Terrell Davis Broncos 1998 2,008
Chris Johnson Titans 2009 2,006
O.J. Simpson Bills 1973 2,003*

* - 14-game season

Congratulations to Adrian Peterson on this achievement, even though he didn't quite get to his goal.