Peterson pulling away

The Vikings have never had an NFL rushing champion, but rookie Adrian Peterson is well on his way to becoming the first.

With 1,036 yards, the team's No. 1 draft choice leads second-place Willie Parker by 310 yards in the league race going into the Steelers' Monday night game against Baltimore.

Robert Smith led the NFC in rushing with 1,521 yards in 2000 but finished second to Indianapolis' Edgerrin James (1,709) in the NFL race.