Before the start of the 2018 NFL season, veteran running back Adrian Peterson was hoping to land with a new team after playing for the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals last year. Ultimately, the Washington Redskins signed Peterson, and it has turned out to be the right move for them, but he originally wanted to land with the Houston Texans.
In Week 11, the Texans will go head-to-head against Redskins with Peterson potentially having a bit more motivation against a team that passed on signing him a few months ago. Head coach Bill O'Brien was asked about Peterson's desire to play in Houston and the reasoning behind not choosing to sign him, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Bill O'Brien on Adrian Peterson wanting to play here. 'Great guy. We evaluate anybody. If that answers did he have a chance to play here, we look at everybody. It comes down to timing and fit. Maybe the timing wasn't right. He's a fantastic player.'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 12, 2018
In nine games for the Redskins this season, Peterson has been a solid contributor out of the backfield. The veteran back has racked up 672 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. The future Hall of Famer has also done well as a receiver for quarterback Alex Smith with 14 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.
With Peterson helping lead the way, Washington is in first place in the NFC East with a 6-3 record. The Texans, however, have an identical record with a first-place standing in the AFC South. Houston might've been able to leap forward with Peterson added into the mix, but the team has done well without him despite a rocky start in which the Texans lost their first three games.
Houston is one of the best defensive teams in the NFL against the run making this matchup all the more intriguing. The Texans are giving up 92.9 rushing yards per game which is sixth-best in the league. Washington is 11th in the NFL in rushing yards per contest at 121.2.
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