Adrian Peterson on MVP award: 'I will get it'

Adrian Peterson has taken Peyton Manning's ribbing about the MVP in style. (US Presswire)

The MVP award will be handed out Feb. 2 during a two-hour televised special on CBS, but Adrian Peterson of the Vikings says he already knows the winner.

“I'm going to win it, I will get it,” he said Saturday at Aloha Stadium, site of Sunday's Pro Bowl, according to the Denver Post's Mark Kiszla.

His chief competition for the award, Peyton Manning of the Broncos, had zinged Peterson earlier at a Pro Bowl roast.

"Everyone should play like Adrian Peterson,” Manning reportedly said. “The guy does everything full speed. The Pro Bowl. Promoting himself for MVP."

Peterson took the ribbing in stride, Kiszla reported.

"I thought it was funny, man," Peterson said. "Manning is always pulling somebody's chain. This time, he got me. That's just the way he is. And I have a ton of respect for him."

After tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee on Dec. 24, 2011, Peterson led the league with 2,097 rushing yards, lifting Minnesota to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. He ran for 12 touchdowns and averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

Manning, coming back from multiple neck surgeries, threw for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while compiling the league's second-best passer rating (105.8). He led Denver to a 13-3 record and the AFC's top playoff seed.

The award is voted on by a nationwide panel of 50 NFL reporters. The Associated Press tabulates the votes.

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