Adrian Peterson's 2 TD day leads Lions to victory over Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Even at age 35, Adrian Peterson still gets it done.
Starting for the Lions in place of an injured D'Andre Swift, Peterson ran the ball 16 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns. His second touchdown was the decisive score in Detroit's 34-30 victory over the Chicago Bears.
With Detroit trailing by three with just under two minutes remaining, Peterson took a second-and-goal handoff into the end zone from five yards out to give the Lions the late lead.
The score was Detroit's second touchdown in 41 seconds. The Lions erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to earn their fifth victory of the season. In so doing, they jumped ahead of the Washington Football Team (4-7) in the jumbled race for the final NFC wildcard berth at 5-7. Detroit, of course, beat Washington 30-27 on Nov. 15.
Arizona currently leads for the No. 7 NFC spot at 6-5 entering play Sunday with Minnesota (6-6), San Francisco (5-6), Chicago (5-7), the Lions and Washington Football still holding out hope. Washington, of course, has probably a better path forward to the postseason with an even record in the NFC East title chase.
Back in the first quarter, Peterson scored Detroit's opening touchdown of the game from three yards out.
Peterson's two touchdowns on Sunday marked the 11th time in his career he's had five or more touchdowns in a season. Only two other running backs, Marcus Allen and Emmitt Smith, have accomplished such in NFL history. Both are in the Hall of Fame.
Prior to arriving in Detroit this season, Peterson spent the last two years as the starting running back in Washington. Peterson was released by the Football Team in September just before final roster cuts, with head coach Ron Rivera citing the emergence of rookie Antonio Gibson.
Moving on has worked out for both sides. Gibson is having a fantastic rookie season for Washington while Peterson continues to get plenty of playing time in Detroit.
