The Viking Age
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Adrian Peterson tops Aaron Rodgers on NFL Network list

By Dan Zinski

Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talk following the game at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talk following the game at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Adrian Peterson finished no. 5 on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2016 list, one spot ahead of Aaron Rodgers.

Last year, Adrian Peterson played poorly enough that he didn’t even warrant inclusion in a list of the league’s top 100 performers. According to a certain grading site.

There is a huge gulf between the opinion of analytics wonks and those who actually suit up and play professional football. Among players, not only is Peterson top-100, he’s top-5.

Wednesday night, NFL Network revealed their top 10 and Peterson came in at no. 5. Last year Peterson placed no. 62 on the same list.

That’s what leading the league in rushing yards will do to your NFL Network top 100 ranking.

The full top ten came out like this:

1. Cam Newton

2. Tom Brady

3. J.J. Watt

4. Antonio Brown

5. Adrian Peterson

6. Aaron Rodgers

7. Luke Kuechly

8. Julio Jones

9. Rob Gronkowski

10. Odell Beckham

Sorry Packers, but according to the players polled by NFL Network, Aaron Rodgers is not the best in the NFC North. That distinction belongs to the running back from Minnesota.

Rip Adrian Peterson all you want for not being a complete enough back, but his peers clearly respect him immensely. Why is it Peterson is still held in such high regard by other players?

Think about what Peterson did last year. After missing almost an entire season, he comes back to a team that has no established passing game, and despite defenses loading up to stop him he still manages to run for over 1,400 yards.

Yes there are valid reasons to be critical of Peterson. He fumbles too much. He doesn’t block well. He isn’t a good receiver. But clearly those issues do not matter to Peterson’s peers within the league. Other players are in awe of what Peterson is able to accomplish despite the continued one-dimensionality of the Vikings offense.

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Packer fans I’m sure are disgusted that Peterson came out ahead of their guy Rodgers on this list, but that’s just tough beans.

Let’s face facts: Rodgers had a down year last year because Jordy Nelson wasn’t there. Take away Rodgers’ top weapon and all of a sudden he’s not the greatest quarterback in the universe.

Nelson is coming back this year so Rodgers should be okay. Adrian Peterson seems to be okay no matter what the Vikings put together by way of a supporting cast. And that’s why he commands so much respect.

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