Dec 18, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) against the New Orleans Saints at the Metrodome. The Saints defeated the Vikings 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The top 5 running backs in the NFC North. With a little twist…

1. 100% Adrian Peterson – Vikings

Which Adrian Peterson will we get in 2012? If it’s The Old Adrian, then there’s no question who the top back in the division is. 100% Adrian wins it in a walk, even if he still doesn’t catch the ball consistently or pick up blitzes all the time. 100% Adrian is a nightmare for defenses. He makes defensive backs poop themselves. He makes linebackers cry for their mamas. He makes defensive coordinators look for work in less stressful fields, like air traffic controller.

2. Matt Forte – Bears*

* = If the Bears ever sign him and get him back on the field.

Forte is probably a more complete back than Adrian Peterson, but so what? Is he as feared? Is he as respected? Is he as well-compensated? No, no and no. But he’s still a very good player and the Bears would do well to get him locked up, cause this is a year where they could go on a playoff run and they sort of need him for that. Unless they think running back is a spot where you can just plug any old guy in and he’ll do the job.

3. 90% Adrian Peterson – Vikings

90% Adrian isn’t as good as 100% Adrian. He’s not as dominating. He’s not as ferocious. He doesn’t cause as many would-be tacklers to look like total fools. But he’s still better than any back in the division except Matt Forte. If the Vikings end up with 90% Adrian instead of 100% Adrian…well, they’ll still have a really good player. A player good enough to be a top back in the NFL. He just won’t be, you know, Total Freak Truckin’ Guys All Day Adrian. He’ll need more holes – hello offensive line – and he’ll probably need more snaps off, which will be good news for Toby Gerhart.

Oct 10, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best (44) looks to get away from a Chicago Bears defender during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

4. Jahvid Best – Lions

Health concerns hover over Jahvid Best. The Lions are worried enough about durability that they’re reportedly mulling using Mikel Leshoure as their standard back, moving Best to more of a Reggie Bush role. So they’re not certain Best can be an every-down back. He’s very talented though and in Detroit’s offense should be a dangerous weapon.

5. 80% Adrian Peterson – Vikings

100% Adrian is dominating. 90% Adrian is top drawer. But 80% Adrian? Still a solid player, but the other guys in the division are breathing down his neck. That includes his own teammate Toby Gerhart. 80% Adrian would be a sad thing to behold. A shell of the former Adrian. A guy who no longer strikes fear into the hearts of defenses. A guy you can no longer build your whole offense around. If the Vikings get only 80% Adrian Peterson, Bill Musgrave is going to have to scrap the whole plan and start over. Let’s hope we don’t see 80% Adrian this year. I’d rather see no Adrian than 80% Adrian.

Other Guys to Watch: Toby Gerhart (Vikings); James Starks (Packers); Mikel Leshoure (Lions); Kahlil Bell (Bears); Alex Green (Packers)

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The Vikings fell prey to the same issues that dogged them all year:  A porous offensive line not allowing enough time for their quarterback, shaky execution even on those occasions when the quarterback had time, questionable play-calling (a screen to Jim Kleinsasser on third down deep inside the red zone?), lack of reasonable effort by a few repeat offenders (so long Bernard Berrian), inexplicably poor tackling from a unit that was once among the league’s best in that area, atrocious cornerback play…the whole list.  For much of the game, the Lions’ defensive line totally dominated up front, stuffing Adrian Peterson and with their pressure helping make Joe Webb look every bit the rookie.  Offensively, Shaun Hill again showed his usual competent-if-unspectacular form, making plays to keep drives alive, picking on the right over-matched defensive backs (so long Frank Walker) and, most importantly, handling the Vikings’ pressure with an aplomb Michael Vick can only stand back and envy.

There were no heroics to be had for the Vikings.  Adrian Peterson never ripped off the big run, Joe Webb never made the big throw, Sidney Rice was not on the field to make the big catch.  Jared Allen did for a moment deliver a potential game-changer by picking off a Hill pass and returning it for a touchdown but the Vikings never really seized the momentum after this play.  In the end Detroit looked more energetic, and frankly more talented.  The Lions may not have a franchise quarterback on-hand, but they have a franchise defensive stud in Ndamukong Suh, a big-time backfield threat in Jahvid Best and some pretty solid complementary pieces scattered around the offense and defense.  Yesterday’s game taught us little we didn’t already know about the Vikings, but it taught us plenty about the Lions, namely that their days as doormats of the division are over.  If the Vikings are to turn things around in 2011, it looks like they’ve have three division contenders to climb over instead of two.

Thank goodness the Buccaneers aren’t still around.

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They have weapons on offense, but don’t seem to know how to use them.  Their quarterback play hovers mostly between barely adequate and atrocious.  Their running game doesn’t exist.  Their defense isn’t bad up front, but their linebackers and secondary lack discipline and don’t tackle all that well.  Their coach doesn’t always seem to know what he’s doing (evidence:  wasting time at the end of the second quarter instead of using a time out and giving the offense at least one shot at the endzone before settling for the 3 points).

And they’re still not lucky.  Jason Hanson misses a relatively easy field goal?  When does that ever happen?  Jahvid Best finally gives them hope of a potent offense, then goes and gets hurt?  It’s enough to make you think the almighty just plain doesn’t like them.

Actually, the Lions were lucky yesterday in one respect:  they didn’t have to go up against last year’s Vikings passing game.  If the Vikes were clicking now like in 2009, that would’ve been a 30-point blow-out.  As it was, the Vikes had to settle for a huge day from Adrian Peterson and another not-entirely-encouraging performance from the passing game…and a mere two touchdown win.

And so, after two games that supposedly proved the Lions were headed in the right direction, they find themselves at 0-3 and headed right back to the bottom of the pack where they always wind up.  I honestly don’t know what Jim Schwartz can do to turn this thing around.  Hope Jahvid Best and Matt Stafford get healthy?  Pray the defensive line becomes dominating enough to make up for a truly awful secondary?  Ask his team to make sure that, when they do get some breaks, they remember to take advantage of them?

I have a feeling it won’t be Schwartz’s problem after this season.  And the Lions will once again be back to square one.

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