Adrian Peterson shines in Lions loss to the Bears

Adrian Peterson is the ageless wonder, and he proved it again on Sunday

It still doesn’t quite seem right — Adrian Peterson in Honolulu Blue — alas here we are. The Detroit Lions were on the losing side of yet another blown fourth quarter lead, nut Peterson shined bright in his debut.

Kerryon Johnson got the start in the backfield but struggled to get anything going; netting a single yard on two carries. Looking to establish the running game, coordinator Darrell Bevel turned to a familiar face from his days with the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson made his impact felt early, and moved up the record books at the same time

On his first touch of the game, Peterson took a handoff right up the middle for 19 yards, looking like the AP that has run over the Lions plenty of times in the past. Even at 35 years old, Peterson still commands respect in the box from opposing defenses. This game would prove to be no different. Following the change of pace in the Lions backfield, Peterson saw the Lions share of offensive snaps as he finished the day with 14 carries to the combined 10 of Johnson (7) and D’Andre Swift (3), totaling 93 yards on the ground. That’s an average of 6.6 yards-per-carry, which surely warrants more playing time.

With his rushing total today Peterson leapt Jim Brown, Edgerrin James and Walter Payton to only trail Emmitt Smith (1,247) for the most yards all-time in season openers with 1,092. The future first ballot Hall-of-Fame running back showed all doubters that he still has plenty left in the tank. The Lions have not had a 1,000 yard rusher since Reggie Bush in 2013 and if Sunday’s game was indicative of things to come, Peterson could end that drought.