A.D. vs. L.T.
All sports (and sports bars) thrive on the essential debate over who's the better player. When it comes to running backs in the NFL, many fans would agree that the field is down to the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson and the San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson. This year, the players themselves are getting into the act. L.T. has told the Los Angeles Times that he's the best because of his all-around ability, his knack for catching the ball and — ahem — the fact that he doesn't come off the field on third down. While Peterson held his tongue, Minnesota coach Brad Childress responded, "My guy is the best football player in the National Football League." Let the stats cast the deciding vote: Peterson averaged 4.8 yards per carry, gained a total of 1,760 yards and scored 10 touchdowns last season, whereas Tomlinson had 3.8 yards per carry, 1,110 yards and 11 TDs. Intriguingly, the Chargers and Vikings don't meet on the gridiron during the regular season this year; the only way they can go mano a mano is in the Super Bowl.