Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints

Coming into the 2008 season, Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson were going toe-to-toe in the “Who is the best fantasy prospect in the land?” sweepstakes.

And so far this season, both players have met mixed reviews for the most part.

Tomlinson has struggled out of the gate. Some blamed it on rustiness because he does not play during the preseason. A nagging toe injury certainly has limited his cutting ability and negates a bit of his speed and shiftiness. Mixed in with four mediocre weeks were two stud weeks, but it took a lot of touches for LT2 to get the numbers fantasy owners expected out of him.

Peterson, meanwhile, nearly scored 40 fantasy points in most leagues during the first two weeks of the season. He was considered off-and-running, poised to take down Tomlinson as the most valuable fantasy running back.

But then a nagging hamstring injury emerged after the second week, which threw some degree of doubt into his playing status week 3 against Carolina. He did play in that game and each since, but has scored double digits in just one of those contests. If you had to guess, which game of these would you think he posted that double-digit value: v. Carolina, @ Tennessee, @ New Orleans or v. Detroit?

If I was a gambling man, my money would have been on New Orleans or Detroit. Instead, his 20+ point performance came against none other than the Tennessee Titans defense, which has been shutting down everyone and everything this season. But the more concerning part of this is that Peterson has scored less than double digits in his last two games against the Saints and Lions.

In his last two games, Peterson has 48 touches for 147 yards and two fumbles. Oh I forgot to mention how many touchdowns … Zero. For a team that is built around the running game, Peterson is having trouble punching it in once the Vikings reach the red zone. In fact, he has not scored a touchdown in four-of-his-six games this season, and has just three scores through six weeks.

This all begs the question: If Adrian Peterson ever could be considered a buy low candidate at this point in his young career, is now that time?

The upcoming schedule does not necessarily lighten up. Peterson and the Vikings get the Bears twice, Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. His best matchup upcoming that is not during the fantasy playoffs is against Houston. But that fantasy playoff schedule is appetizing: @ Detroit, @ Arizona and v. Atlanta. Peterson should feast on all three of those opponents.

I doubt his struggles to score continue much longer, even against the tough competition. The Vikings will continue to ride Peterson and should get the red zone issues figured out. If Gus Frerrote can force opponents to respect the Minnesota passing game, defenses will be forced to play with less men in the box, which would equate to a few home runs for Peterson.

So if Peterson is a buy low candidate, then I do think fantasy owners need to make the move for him now. A nervous owner may look at the upcoming schedule and fear for the worst, particularly after his poor performances against two not-so-studly defenses. But a savvy owner knows that no matter the defense, Peterson is going to get his. And that playoff schedule is almost too good to be true.

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