Will running back Adrian Peterson have what it takes to win another rushing title at age 31? NFC North reporters don't see why not.
ESPN's Ben Goessling **threw out the question** to his division counterparts, and they unanimously said they won't be surprised if Peterson leads the league in rushing for the 2016 season. Chicago Bears beat reporter Jeff Dickerson wrote:
*Peterson is an athletic freak. There is no doubt he can win another rushing title at age 31. *
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I predict he rushes for 1,000-plus yards until he's 35. There is absolutely no sign he is beginning to wear down, and plus, the Vikings are now good. There will be less pressure on Peterson to carry the entire load by himself. I can envision Peterson rushing for 1,500 yards in 2016. He is still that dangerous.
Lions beat reporter Michael Rothstein said he thinks time will inevitably take its toll on Peterson, but he could see the running back making one more run at a rushing title this season.
Packers beat reporter Rob Demovsky wrote:
No one beats Father Time, but if anyone can put him off for as long as possible, it's Peterson. Here's what makes me think he can keep it up: look at his yards-per-carry average. Other than his 2,097-yard season of 2012, when he averaged an otherworldly 6.0 yards per attempt, he's been consistently around the mid-to-high 4s his entire career – 4.8 in 2008, 4.4 in 2009, 4.6 in 2010, 4.7 in 2011 and 4.5 in 2013 and last year.
Adrian Peterson makes list of top 100 important people
In a list compiled by USA TODAY reporters, Peterson came in at No. 80 in the **“NFL’s Top 100 Important People.”*** *Peterson's section said the following:
He led the league in rushing (for the third time) in 2015 at 30, the age when most backs are retired or in steep decline. In the age of "pass first," the 2012 MVP proves a running back can still be the biggest weapon on a playoff team's offense.
Peterson was the sole Vikings player to make the lineup that led with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton at one, two and three, respectively.
NFC North opponents included on the list were Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (36); Lions majority Owner and Chairwoman Martha Ford (54); and Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy (59).
