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Adrian Peterson: Vikings need to be better 'from the top to the bottom'

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says the onus is on the whole team to correct what went wrong in Sunday's 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

"I think it's from the top to the bottom," Peterson said, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN. "It's from the coaches on both sides and the players, as well. No matter what position we were in, we had calls, and we didn't execute on a lot of plays. It came back to hurt us. But it's the coaches' job to put us in the best position, as well."

Peterson said he wasn't referring to a specific aspect of the Vikings' game plan, but did point out their uncharacteristic eight penalties for 110 yards. Minnesota was the least penalized team in the NFL prior to Sunday.

Peterson rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, only seven of which came after the first quarter. He also fumbled on the Packers' 22-yard line as the Vikings were trying to rally in the fourth quarter.

"Just me doing what I do - trying to make a play," Peterson said of the fumble. "I remember spinning out, and my legs got wrapped up, and the ball got away from me. The defensive lineman did what those guys do: They caught me slipping on that one, and it really hurt us."

The Vikings and Packers are now both tied at 7-3, but Green Bay has the NFC North lead by virtue of the head-to-head win. They meet again in Week 17.

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