The single-game rushing record in the National Football League (NFL) is held by Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 296 yards on November 4, 2007, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings against the San Diego Chargers.
Peterson's record-breaking performance came in a game that the Vikings eventually lost 23-17, but his individual achievement has cemented his place in NFL history. He surpassed the previous record of 256 yards set by Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens in 2003.
Single Game NFL Rushing Record
The single-game rushing record in the National Football League (NFL) is held by Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 296 yards on November 4, 2007, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings against the San Diego Chargers.
- Record holder: Adrian Peterson
- Rushing yards: 296
- Date: November 4, 2007
- Team: Minnesota Vikings
- Opponent: San Diego Chargers
- Previous record: 256 yards (Jamal Lewis, 2003)
- Game result: Vikings lost 23-17
- Peterson's longest run: 64 yards
- Peterson's touchdowns: 2
- Peterson's YPC: 7.4
Peterson's record-breaking performance has cemented his place in NFL history as one of the greatest running backs of all time.
Record Holder: Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson is a former American football running back who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time.
Peterson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the league, rushing for over 1,300 yards in each of his first six seasons. In 2012, he led the NFL in rushing with 2,097 yards, becoming the seventh player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season.
Peterson's single-game rushing record of 296 yards was set on November 4, 2007, in a game against the San Diego Chargers. He also scored two touchdowns in the game, but the Vikings ultimately lost 23-17. Peterson's record-breaking performance was a testament to his exceptional speed, power, and agility.
Peterson continued to be a productive running back throughout his career, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 10 of his 12 NFL seasons. He also scored 111 career touchdowns, which ranks him 10th all-time in NFL history. Peterson was named to the NFL All-Pro team seven times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
Rushing Yards: 296
Adrian Peterson's 296 rushing yards in a single game is the most ever by any player in NFL history. It is a remarkable achievement that has only been approached by a handful of other players.
Peterson's record-breaking performance was all the more impressive considering that he did it against a San Diego Chargers defense that was ranked among the best in the NFL at the time. He also did it on a torn ACL, which he later revealed he had been playing on for several weeks.
Peterson's 296 rushing yards came on 30 carries, giving him an average of 9.9 yards per carry. He also scored two touchdowns in the game, both of which came in the first half.
Peterson's record-breaking performance has cemented his place in NFL history as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He is the only player to ever rush for over 290 yards in a single game, and his record is likely to stand for many years to come.
Date: November 4, 2007
Adrian Peterson's record-breaking 296-yard rushing performance came on November 4, 2007, in a game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
The Vikings entered the game with a 3-5 record, while the Chargers were 5-3. The Chargers were favored to win the game, but Peterson's historic performance led the Vikings to a 23-17 upset victory.
Peterson's record-breaking run came in the third quarter. He took a handoff from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and burst through the Chargers defense for a 64-yard touchdown run. It was the longest run of his career and the longest run by any player in the NFL that season.
Peterson's record-breaking performance is still remembered as one of the greatest individual achievements in NFL history. It is a testament to his exceptional talent and determination.
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson's record-breaking 296-yard rushing performance came while he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
- The Vikings drafted Peterson with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Peterson quickly became one of the most productive running backs in the NFL, rushing for over 1,300 yards in each of his first six seasons with the Vikings.
Peterson's record-breaking performance came in a game against the San Diego Chargers on November 4, 2007.The Vikings were 3-5 at the time, but Peterson's historic performance led them to a 23-17 upset victory.
Peterson's record-breaking run came in the third quarter.He took a handoff from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and burst through the Chargers defense for a 64-yard touchdown run.
Peterson's record-breaking performance is still remembered as one of the greatest individual achievements in NFL history.It is a testament to his exceptional talent and determination.
Peterson continued to be a productive running back for the Vikings until he was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2017. He returned to the Vikings in 2020 and played one more season before retiring in 2021.
Opponent: San Diego Chargers
Adrian Peterson's record-breaking 296-yard rushing performance came against the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers were a formidable opponent at the time, with a 5-3 record and a defense that was ranked among the best in the NFL.
The Chargers defense was led by All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. However, Peterson was able to find holes in the Chargers defense all day long.
Peterson's longest run of the game was a 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He also scored a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
The Chargers ultimately lost the game 23-17, but Peterson's record-breaking performance is still remembered as one of the greatest individual achievements in NFL history.
Previous Record: 256 Yards (Jamal Lewis, 2003)
Before Adrian Peterson's record-breaking performance in 2007, the single-game rushing record was held by Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.
- Lewis set the record on September 14, 2003, in a game against the Cleveland Browns.
He rushed for 295 yards on 36 carries, including a 76-yard touchdown run.
Lewis's record stood for over four years, until Peterson broke it in 2007.Peterson rushed for 296 yards on 30 carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run.
Both Lewis and Peterson's record-breaking performances came against teams that had top-ranked defenses.Lewis's Browns were ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing defense, while Peterson's Chargers were ranked second.
Lewis and Peterson are two of the most talented running backs in NFL history.Lewis was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a one-time All-Pro selection. Peterson is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a four-time All-Pro selection.
Peterson's record-breaking performance is still considered one of the greatest individual achievements in NFL history.
Game Result: Vikings Lost 23-17
Despite Adrian Peterson's record-breaking 296-yard rushing performance, the Minnesota Vikings lost the game to the San Diego Chargers 23-17.
The Vikings were trailing 17-10 at halftime, but Peterson's 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave them a 17-17 tie.
However, the Chargers regained the lead on a 26-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding early in the fourth quarter. The Vikings had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but a 47-yard field goal attempt by Ryan Longwell was blocked.
The Vikings' loss dropped their record to 3-6 on the season, while the Chargers improved to 6-3.
Despite the loss, Peterson's record-breaking performance is still remembered as one of the greatest individual achievements in NFL history.
Peterson's Longest Run: 64 Yards
Adrian Peterson's longest run of the game was a 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
- The run came on a first-and-10 play from the Vikings' own 36-yard line.
Peterson took the handoff from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and burst through the Chargers defense.
Peterson broke several tackles on the run, including one by Chargers safety Eric Weddle.He also outran several other Chargers defenders before finally being brought down at the Chargers' 4-yard line.
Peterson's touchdown run gave the Vikings a 17-10 lead.It was the second of his two touchdowns in the game.
Peterson's 64-yard run is the longest run of his career.It is also the longest run by any player in the NFL during the 2007 season.
Peterson's 64-yard run is still remembered as one of the most impressive runs in NFL history.
Peterson's Touchdowns: 2
Adrian Peterson scored two touchdowns in the game against the San Diego Chargers, both of which came in the first half.
- Peterson's first touchdown came on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
He took the handoff from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and dove into the end zone.
Peterson's second touchdown came on a 64-yard run in the third quarter.He took the handoff from Jackson and burst through the Chargers defense, breaking several tackles on the way to the end zone.
Peterson's two touchdowns gave the Vikings a 17-10 lead at halftime.However, the Chargers came back to win the game 23-17.
Peterson's two touchdowns in the game gave him 10 touchdowns on the season.He would go on to finish the season with 13 touchdowns.
Peterson's two touchdowns in the game against the Chargers are still remembered as two of the most impressive touchdowns of his career.
Peterson's YPC: 7.4
Adrian Peterson's YPC (yards per carry) in the game against the San Diego Chargers was 7.4.
- Peterson rushed for 296 yards on 30 carries.
This means that he averaged 7.4 yards for every carry.
Peterson's YPC in the game was well above his career average.He finished his career with a YPC of 4.9.
Peterson's high YPC in the game was due in part to his long runs.He had five runs of 20 or more yards, including a 64-yard touchdown run.
Peterson's 7.4 YPC is one of the highest single-game YPC totals in NFL history.Only a handful of players have ever rushed for more than 200 yards with a YPC of 7.0 or higher.
Peterson's 7.4 YPC in the game against the Chargers is a testament to his exceptional speed, power, and agility.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the single-game NFL rushing record:
Question 1: Who holds the single-game NFL rushing record?
Adrian Peterson holds the single-game NFL rushing record with 296 yards, set on November 4, 2007, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings against the San Diego Chargers.
Question 2: Who previously held the single-game NFL rushing record?
Jamal Lewis previously held the single-game NFL rushing record with 295 yards, set on September 14, 2003, while playing for the Baltimore Ravens against the Cleveland Browns.
Question 3: How many carries did Peterson have in the game where he set the record?
Peterson had 30 carries in the game where he set the record.
Question 4: What was Peterson's longest run in the game where he set the record?
Peterson's longest run in the game where he set the record was a 64-yard touchdown run.
Question 5: How many touchdowns did Peterson score in the game where he set the record?
Peterson scored two touchdowns in the game where he set the record.
Question 6: Did Peterson's team win the game where he set the record?
No, Peterson's team, the Minnesota Vikings, lost the game 23-17 to the San Diego Chargers.
Question 7: What is Peterson's career rushing average?
Peterson's career rushing average is 4.9 yards per carry.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
The single-game NFL rushing record is one of the most prestigious records in all of sports. Adrian Peterson's record-breaking performance is a testament to his exceptional talent and determination.
Here are some tips for aspiring running backs who want to break the single-game NFL rushing record:
Tips
Here are some tips for aspiring running backs who want to break the single-game NFL rushing record:
1. Develop exceptional speed and agility.
This will allow you to burst through holes in the defense and outrun defenders.
2. Build up your strength and power.
This will allow you to break tackles and carry defenders for extra yards.
3. Study the game of football and learn how to read defenses.
This will allow you to find the holes in the defense and exploit them.
4. Practice, practice, practice.
The more you practice, the better you will become at running the football.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
Breaking the single-game NFL rushing record is a difficult task, but it is not impossible. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of achieving this goal.
Conclusion:
Conclusion
The single-game NFL rushing record is one of the most prestigious records in all of sports. It is a testament to the exceptional talent and determination of the players who have achieved it.
Adrian Peterson's record-breaking performance in 2007 is a reminder of what is possible when an athlete is at the peak of his powers. Peterson's combination of speed, power, and agility was simply unmatched that day.
While it is unlikely that Peterson's record will be broken anytime soon, it is a reminder that anything is possible in sports. With hard work and dedication, any player can achieve greatness.
Closing Message:
Thank you for reading about the single-game NFL rushing record. I hope you have found this article informative and inspiring.