SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016

Vikings will lean on defense, Bradford without Peterson

EDEN PRAIRIE: In this day and age of high-flying passing attacks, the Minnesota Vikings have been a bit of a throwback in their run-first approach to offense. So now that the focal point of that offense is lost for the foreseeable future, the sea- son is over, right? Not so fast. Adrian Peterson had surgery on Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, a procedure that is expected to keep him out for at least several months with a strong possi- bility that he misses the rest of the season. And the Vikings were ranked 28th in the league in offense with the best run- ning back of his era on the field. “I know everybody is all con- cerned about we don’t have this or we don’t have that but it’s a team,” Coach Mike Zimmer said. “That’s why we have 53 guys here, so that we can try to win as a team. That’s all I’ve ever done since I’ve been here.” The Vikings started the season with Super Bowl aspirations, even after quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down just over a week before the opener with a devastating knee injury. This week they lost Peterson and starting left tackle Matt Kalil (hip) to long-term injuries, but they remain confident that all is not lost heading into a Week 3 matchup at Carolina. So here is the formula the Vikings (2-0) will have to follow to survive life without Peterson carrying the offensive load:

Running back crew Peterson was one of the few true workhorses left at run- ning back in the league. He had 31 carries in the first two weeks, while the rest of the running backs on the roster com- bined for just 13. Now the offense will use a running back by committee, with shifty Jerick McKinnon getting the start, thumper Matt Asiata spelling him and the recently signed Ronnie Hillman there for insurance. While none of those three have anything close to the resume of Peterson, they all bring different things to the table that can help them be effective as a group. McKinnon is an accomplished receiver out of the backfield, an area that Peterson never mastered. Asiata hits the holes quick and nev- FOXBOROUGH: New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) dives into the end zone for a touch- er dances in the backfield like Peterson would do on occasion, taking some of the burden off the beleaguered offensive line- down past Houston Texans linebacker Max Bullough (53) during the first half of an NFL football game. — AP men to sustain their blocks. “They’re both capable of being good pass protectors. They’re both good receivers,” offensive coordinator Norv Brissett starts, scrambles, Turner said. “We can mix them however we want, but Jerick with his explosiveness and his ability to come out of the back- delivers 27-0 Pats victory field when appropriate we will try to take advantage of that.” Bradford’s arm, Diggs’ hands Sam Bradford surpassed all expectations on Sunday night FOXBOROUGH: Maybe the Texans bounds to avoid a big hit - Brissett said, Cincinnati. when he took hold of the offense after two weeks of practice thought Jacoby Brissett would run out “It’s ‘Take care of yourself.’ So ...” LeGarrette Blount ran for 105 yards, and was so sharp in a victory over the Green Bay Packers. of bounds at the 5 in the first quarter of including a 41-yard touchdown, and Bradford completed 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two his first NFL start. After all, with Tom No special instructions the Texans fumbled a pair of kickoff touchdowns, taking advantage of a defense that had loaded Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo Coach Bill Belichick said there were returns to set up one- and two-play up to stop Peterson. He immediately clicked with second-year injured, the Patriots didn’t have any no special instructions for the rookie to touchdown drives. Brissett, who came receiver Stefon Diggs, a budding star who had nine catches other quarterbacks on the roster to call be cautious. “Like on the touchdown on in relief of Garoppolo against Miami for 182 yards and a touchdown in the game. With Peterson upon if the 23-year-old rookie got hurt. run?” he said dismissively. Belichick said four days ago, became the first rookie gone, it would figure that the offense would evolve more to But when Brissett broke free around the Brissett made an instantaneous deci- quarterback to start for the Patriots feature the passing game with Bradford, Diggs and tight end right side from the Houston 27, he sion, just as all players do on every play. since Drew Bledsoe in 1993 - and the Kyle Rudolph. — AP appeared to be cornered by safety “That’s why we win games, because first black player to start at QB in fran- Andre Hal inside the 10. Heading for the players make good decisions,” said chise history. sideline, Brissett stutter-stepped and let Belichick, who tied Curly Lambeau for It was 15 years minus one day after the defender cut in front of him, then fourth on the NFL’s all-time regular-sea- Bledsoe was knocked out of the game slipped through his grasp before diving son win list with his 226th career victory. on a hit by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis. for the end zone. “That’s what we ask them to do.” Brissett Brady led the Patriots to the first of four “I’m just running until I get stopped,” went on to complete 11 of 19 passes for Super Bowl titles that year, relinquish- Brissett said after leading the Patriots to 103 yards, and ran for 48 yards on eight ing the job only when he was injured in a 27-0 victory over the Houston Texans carries as the Patriots took advantage of 2008 and again this year when NFL on Thursday night. “It went just how we three Houston turnovers. The 27-yard Commissioner Roger Goodell benched planned it was going to work out. I just touchdown run was the longest for a him for his role in a scheme to use had to make one guy miss.” As the Patriots quarterback since 1976. “He’s a improperly inflated footballs in the third-string, third-round draft pick cele- running quarterback. We expected it,” 2015 AFC title game. brated with his teammates, the stadium Hal said. “I was trying to hold him out of Bledsoe, who had been the No 1 public address blasted out The Doors there, and he cut back on me. He’s a big overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft, had singing, “Hello, I love you, won’t you tell guy, and he runs well.” been the last Patriots rookie to start at me your name.” “I got a headache from New England improved to 3-0 with- quarterback before Brissett led the all the head bopping,” Brissett said. out Brady, who has one game remain- team out of the tunnel on Thursday The Patriots were lucky that’s all that ing on his “Deflategate” suspension. It is night. Belichick declined announce a happened to the only quarterback not clear whether Garoppolo, who was starter before listing Garoppolo on the active for the game. (Receiver Julian slammed to the turf on his right arm by inactive list that was released 90 min- Edelman, who played QB at Kent State, Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso on utes before kickoff. “(Brissett) handled was believed to be the emergency Sunday, will be back to face Buffalo in himself great last week, this week, all option if something happened to the final game of Brady’s ban on Oct 2. week, every day,” Belichick said. “He’s MINNEAPOLIS: In this Sept 18, 2016, file photo, Minnesota Brissett.) Asked if he was instructed to The four-time Super Bowl champion is done nothing but work had ever since Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) is helped off be extra careful - to slide or go out of eligible to return for Week 5 against he’s been here.” — AP the field after getting injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers. — AP