Photos: Adrian Peterson's remarkable season

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Houston, TX, USA — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) tries to turn upfield as Houston Texans' Connor Barwin (98) tackles him during the second quarter of their Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, game in Houston. (Patric Schneider/AP) link to this photo

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Mankato, MN, USA — Adrian Peterson signs autographs between bites of a peach Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Mankato, Minn., after arriving for the NFL football team's training camp. (Pat Christman/AP) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) avoids a tackle by Rashad Johnson (49) of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter of the game on Oct. 21, 2012 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 21-14. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) scores the second touchdown of the game against the Arizona Cardinals in Minneapolis on Oct. 21, 2012 in Minneapolis. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Larry Fitzgerald (11) of the Arizona Cardinals speaks to Adrian Peterson (28) after the game against the Cardinals on Oct. 21, 2012 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 21-14. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Seattle, WA, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) of the Minnesota Vikings rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on Nov. 4, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 11, 2012 in Minneapolis. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier congratulates Adrian Peterson (28) after a 61-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter Nov. 11, 2012 in Minneapolis. (Andy King/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 11, 2012, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Lions 34-24. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Chicago, IL, United States — Lance Briggs (55) of the Chicago Bears brings down Adrian Peterson (28) at Soldier Field on Nov. 25, 2012 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Vikings 28-10. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Green Bay, WI, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) is tackled by Morgan Burnett (42) of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Dec. 2, 2012. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) and Brandon Marshall (15) of the Chicago Bears speak after their game on Dec. 9, 2012 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Bears 21-14. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Minneapolis. (Andy King/AP) link to this photo

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St. Louis, MO, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) talks with Steven Jackson (39) of the St. Louis Rams after the game at Edward Jones Dome on Dec. 16, 2012 in St. Louis. The Vikings won 36-22 as Peterson rushed for 212 yards. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images) link to this photo

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St. Louis, MO, USA — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson stands with teammates in the huddle during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in St. Louis. (Tom Gannam/AP) link to this photo

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Houston, TX, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) is stopped by Bradie James (53) and Brooks Reed (58) of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Dec. 23, 2012 in Houston. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Houston, TX, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) looks to avoid a tackled by Glover Quin (29) of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Dec. 23, 2012 in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Houston, TX, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) runs upfield against Daniel Manning (38) of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Dec. 23, 2012 in Houston. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Adrian Peterson, center, runs from Green Bay Packers defenders A.J. Hawk, left, and Morgan Burnett, right, during the first half of their match on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Minneapolis. Peterson came within 9 yards of Dickerson's rushing record on Sunday, finishing with 199 yards and powering the Vikings into the playoffs, 37-34 over Green Bay. That forced a rematch with the Packers next weekend in a wild-card game. (Genevieve Ross/ASSOCIATED PRESS) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, USA — Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the second half against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Minneapolis. (Genevieve Ross/ASSOCIATED PRESS) link to this photo

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Minneapolis, MN, United States — Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Christian Ponder (7) in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 30, 2012 in Minneapolis. The Vikings earned a playoff spot, and a rematch against arch rivals Green Bay next week, with a thrilling 37-34 win. (Andy King/Getty Images) link to this photo