Win on Sunday would clinch home field for Houston in playoffs
The 12-2 Houston Texans can clinch home field advantage throughout January’s AFC playoffs if they beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at Reliant Stadium. But to do that they will have to stop Minnesota’s star running back, Adrian Peterson.
The Palestine, Texas native has had a monster season. Less than a year after tearing knee ligaments, Peterson has rushed for 1,812 yards. He is within shouting distance of breaking the NFL’s single season rushing record at 2,105 yards, currently held by Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak says stopping Peterson is his club’s top goal on Sunday. But he also knows it’s not going to be easy.
“He’s so phenomenal. He is so hard to tackle,” Kubiak said.
Defensive lineman J.J. Watt agrees with his coach’s assessment of the Minnesota superstar.
“He looks like a great running back to me. He’s definitely playing at the top of his game. He doesn’t look like he’s slowed down whatsoever,” Watt said.
Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has had a front row seat for Peterson’s success on the field this year. Kluwe told KTRH that Peterson leaves him shaking his head in amazement.
“He puts in so much time an effort. He works so hard at his craft,” Kluwe said.
Kluwe admits it is fun to watch Peterson do what he does.
“He’s one of the best that I’ve ever seen. He does stuff you don’t see from anyone else. It’s really a lot of fun to watch,” Kluwe said.
Peterson isn’t the only star running back that will be on the field on Sunday. The Texans have a pretty good running back in Arian Foster, too. Foster has rushed for 1,313 yards this season and says Peterson deserves all the credit he gets.
“I feel like he’s one of the best to play the game. He’s a great back,” Foster told reporters this week.
But teammate Duane Brown says the Texans have to make sure that it’s Foster that gets all the headlines after Sunday’s game.
“We have to show people who the best running back in the league is. 2-3 has to have the bigger day.
Kickoff on Sunday is set for Noon.
