5 Teams That Could Use Adrian Peterson Right Now

With Adrian Peterson’s off-field issues, some believe he may have played his last game as a Minnesota Vikings.  This got us thinking: What teams could use Adrian Peterson the most?

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta is using four Running Backs in some type of rotation this season and while averaging 121.3 rushing yards a game, a running back like Peterson would give them a running game that defenses would have to focus on.  Atlanta can air it out with the best of them, but down the stretch you need a strong running game to make that play-off push.  Peterson would single handedly change the Falcons from play-off contender to the favorite to unseat Seattle as NFC Champions.

Carolina Panthers 

The NFC South is wide open for the taking with 2-2 being good enough for first place at the moment.  In the off-season, Carolina was criticized for not addressing their passing game.  However, Carolina is averaging 280.3 passing yards a game and Kelvin Benjamin has been spectacular.  On the flip side, their rushing game has been very, very bad averaging 72.3 rushing yards a game.  On top of that Carolina has had to deal with injuries to their top four running threats; DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert and Cam Newton.  Adding Peterson is a no-brainer; he is durable and could carry the load for the team.  Carolina has already shown that it is willing to pay more than one Running Back so the contract would not be an issue.  Most importantly, adding Peterson would take some pressure off of Cam Newton and give him more time in the pocket to pass the ball, take fewer hits, and heal up from his injuries.

San Diego Chargers 

The Chargers haven’t had much luck with the Running Back position this season.  Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead have both missed time with injuries and Donald Brown only hit 100 yards this week, for the season.  The Chargers came into Week 3 averaging only 78.7 yards per game, and with 42 rushing yards in Week 4 that number did not improve.  Philip Rivers had some great years with LaDainian Tomlinson, so he knows what the addition of someone like Peterson could do for his team.  San Diego is playing very well and the addition of Peterson could help them not only challenge the Broncos for the AFC West, but make them a real threat to win it all.

Denver Broncos 

While we are talking about Denver, Peyton Manning could use a workhorse like Peterson to accompany him in the backfield.  Monte Ball hasn’t played poorly this season, but Manning’s window for Super Bowls is closing and having Peterson would cause defenses even more fits than Denver already does today.  Denver is only averaging 75.3 rushing yards a game and if that continues, it would mean that they would be heavily relying on Manning’s arm to carry them through the season and into the play-offs yet again.  Denver has improved its defense, if it improved its running game, this team could be completely unstoppable.

New England Patriots 

The Patriots rushing attack has been lackluster this season, averaging only 105 rushing yards per game.  Shane Vereen has been effective at times catching passes out of the backfield and Stevan Ridley has yet to show that he can be consistent enough to be the premiere back.  Peterson would give the Patriots an every down back that they haven’t had since Corey Dillon.  Adding Peterson would be a great addition to help prolong Brady’s career and more importantly, help ignite a struggling Patriots’ offense.