Chargers-Vikings Preview

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner got his first chance to see Adrian Peterson in nearly top form in the Minnesota Vikings' first victory of the season.

Peterson will try to repeat that performance Sunday in Turner's first matchup with his former team, the San Diego Chargers.

After being suspended for the final 15 games in 2014, Peterson showed some rust in a 20-3 loss to San Francisco on Sept. 14 as he gained 31 yards on 10 carries. Playing in front of his home fans for the first time in nearly two years, though, Peterson bounced back with 134 yards in a 26-16 win over Detroit on Sunday.

The only negatives to Peterson's day were a pair of fumbles, one of which was lost.

"It comes with time. Week 1, you watch film and you learn. You apply it to the next week, and I'm coming to do the same thing next Sunday," he said.

Turner was hoping to see this from Peterson when he was hired by the Vikings before last season. Then-rookie Peterson set an NFL record with 296 rushing yards against the Turner-coached Chargers in their last visit to Minnesota, a 35-17 win Nov. 4, 2007.

Turner led San Diego to the AFC championship game that season, his first with the Chargers, and went 56-40 in six years.

"It's a great mind to learn from and be coached by. He's charismatic and has a great personality," Peterson said. "It's been fun so far. I'm looking forward to getting a full season under my belt."

The Vikings will face an opponent that gave up 175 rushing yards in a 24-19 loss at Cincinnati last Sunday. In contrast, Minnesota yielded 38 last week after giving up 230 against the 49ers.

"We can't take the cheese this week either because people will be saying nice things about us this week," coach Mike Zimmer said. "We have to make sure that we continue to work the way we work, study the way we study and go out and practice."

Chargers rookie Melvin Gordon ran for 88 yards on 16 carries Sunday. Philip Rivers went 21 of 27 for 241 yards and two touchdowns to become San Diego's leader in TD passes with 256, surpassing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts. Rivers, though, committed two turnovers for the second straight game.

San Diego has given the ball away six times this season.

"It's only two games," receiver Malcom Floyd told the team's official website. "It's very early. At the same time, we've got to continue to improve. We just don't want it to become a trend."

Rivers passed for 335 yards and two touchdowns in San Diego's most recent matchup with Minnesota, a 24-17 victory Sept. 11, 2011, throwing for the winning TD with 5:01 to go. He'll likely be playing behind a depleted offensive line for the second straight week and possibly without starting tight end Ladarius Green.

D.J. Fluker is dealing with a high ankle sprain and fellow guard Johnnie Troutman reportedly needs a few more weeks to recover from a broken arm. Green, who has 10 catches for 121 yards and a TD, has suffered his second concussion in less than two weeks and his third since December.

Rivers was sacked four times against the Bengals after being sacked twice by the Lions.

Return specialist/receiver Jacoby Jones and safety Jahleel Addae also sat out last week because of ankle injuries, and their statuses are uncertain.

The Chargers have alternated wins and losses in their 11 meetings with the Vikings. Minnesota has won the past two home games in the series.