View images from Sunday's 2015 home opener against the Lions.
MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings fans welcomed Adrian Peterson home Sunday, and the running back rewarded them with a dynamic start.
Peterson rushed 16 times for 70 yards (4.4 per carry) in the first half of his first home game since Dec. 1, 2013.
Peterson entered the game with 12,385 combined net yards and had in the first half. He broke Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter's Vikings career record of 12,410 combined net yards (12,383 receiving, 24 rushing, 3 fumble return) during a 25-yard run on his fourth carry of the game.
The attention Peterson garnered freed up the playbook for a 29-yard gain on a reverse run by Jarius Wright. His presence also opened up running room for Teddy Bridgewater on a run from the shotgun and a bootleg for a 1-yard TD run.
The Vikings rushed 21 times for 113 yards in the first half (5.4 per carry) a week after finishing the game with 17 carries for 71 yards (4.2 per carry).
Bridgewater and Peterson also improvised on a key third-down play, with Bridgewater fighting off pressure long enough to flip the ball to Peterson. The running back took the pass and ran for a 49-yard gain to set up a field goal by Blair Walsh.
The Vikings are up 17-10 at halftime.
