Minnesota Vikings 2016 regular season superlatives
By Adam Patrick
![Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3c0da9903bf9613ba5e51a5698ee574c6064a3bec8d4eeb43dd1f7a655cb9f3b.jpg)
Least likely to gain two yards when you only need one
Matt Asiata, running back
Although his play has improved a bit in each of his five seasons with the Vikings, Asiata has continued to be known in his career as a short-yardage running back. Now this does not necessarily mean the team uses him in short-yardage situations, but it instead refers to the short amount of yardage he gains with the ball in his hands.
With Adrian Peterson lost for most of the season, Asiata saw a lot more time on the field than what was probably planned by Minnesota.
Even though he managed to lead the team in rushing touchdowns in 2016, the running back barely managed to gain three yards per carry this year. Of his six scores this season, four of them came on one-yard runs.
– AP