After much meditation—some of it ongoing—Peter King dishes out his year-end honors
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
ADRIAN PETERSON
Running back, Vikings
It's hard not to pick Peyton Manning, but Peterson's phenomenal finish—135 carries, 861 yards and six TDs as the Vikes went 4--1 against a bear of a stretch-run schedule—made the difference, taking his team to the playoffs.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER
ADRIAN PETERSON
Running back, Vikings
With every defense game-planning solely for him (the Vikes were 31st in passing), Peterson still had the second-best rushing total in history—2,097 yards, including 150-plus in seven of his last 10 games.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER