Arizona Cardinals need Adrian Peterson to find the time machine and carry offensive load

After the Arizona Cardinals lost Carson Palmer to his potentially season ending broken non-throwing arm, the question became... What now?

For the Cardinals and their offense, the answer needs to be Adrian Peterson.

The problem is for Peterson, he has not been a workhorse running back, the focal point of the offense and done it effectively since 2015.

In 2016, in a situation similar to what the Cardinals are in now, the Vikings thought they could lean on Adrian Peterson.

They started 2-1, in spite of Peterson looking like he had nothing left in the tank.

In his three games, before he was injured and lost for the season in game three, Peterson posted numbers of:

19 carries 31 yards (1.63 yards per carry)
12 carries 19 yards (1.58 yards per carry)
6 carries 22 yards (3.67 yards per carry)

His long carry? 13 yards in that 22 yard performance where he was injured.

In other words, Peterson has not been the focal point of an offense since 2015.

Sure, his first game with the Arizona Cardinals was outstanding, but his follow up was a reminder that he is a running back on the wrong side of 30 closing in on 2,500 rushing attempts in his career.

They need Peterson to reach back and find the fountain of youth.

They need their offensive line to help him out and they need Drew Stanton to hit throws when asked too.

Can Peterson turn back the clock?

The Arizona Cardinals are expecting him too.