KICKOFF: 10 a.m. Sunday at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

SERIES: Chargers lead 5-4. The Chargers won the last meeting, 42-28, on Nov. 9, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers last played the Vikings in Minnesota in 1999, losing 35-27.

PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Adrian Peterson

The rookie selected seventh overall in April's draft has not only been the impact player he was projected to be, but is the NFL's leading rusher with 740 yards. In just his fifth NFL contest, he set the franchise record for rushing yards in a game with 224, breaking the mark of 200 yards set in 1976 by Minnesota legend Chuck Foreman. He has also given Minnesota the home-run threat it has been missing since Robert Smith retired after the 2000 season. Peterson has three runs of 50 or more yards ñ-- including touchdown runs of 73 and 67 in his record-setting game against Chicago - and also took a screen pass 60 yards for a touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 217-pounder combines a unique blend of speed and power and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Peterson broke into the national consciousness in 2004 when he set Oklahoma school and national freshman records for rushing yards in a season with 1,925. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up that season behind USC QB Matt Leinart.

OFFENSE

The Vikings have used three quarterbacks due to injuries. Second-year player Tarvaris Jackson could return this Sunday after missing last week's loss to Philadelphia with a broken finger on his throwing hand. Backup Kelly Holcomb will miss the game after hurting his neck and suffering bruised vertebrae while being sacked by the Eagles. If Jackson (45.9 completion percentage, two touchdowns, five interceptions) can't play, third-stringer Brooks Bollinger will get the call. WR Bobby Wade, the Vikings' best receiver with 23 receptions, will be less than full strength after hyperextending a knee. Wade has 272 receiving yards but hasn't yet caught a touchdown pass. TE Visanthe Shiancoe has caught a career-best 14 passes in his first season with the Vikings after spending the last four seasons with the New York Giants. Though Peterson is an outstanding runner, it doesn't hurt to run behind a stellar line that includes five-time Pro Bowl C Matt Birk, four-time Pro Bowl LG Steve Hutchinson and solid LT Bryant McKinnie.

DEFENSE

Teams struggle to run the ball against the Vikings --ñ they are third in the NFL in defending the rush --ñ and it is mostly because of the men in the middle. DTs Kevin Williams (33 career sacks) and Pat Williams (four tackles for losses this season) both played in the Pro Bowl last season, and MLB E.J. Henderson (team-high 74 tackles, including 10 for losses) completes a terrific trio. DE Kenechi Udeze has a team-best four sacks, and WLB Chad Greenway (68 tackles) has forced three fumbles. SLB Ben Leber, a former Charger, has five tackles for losses among his 40 stops. Three-time Pro Bowl SS Darren Sharper (two interceptions this season) has 51 career interceptions, tied for most among active players with Kansas City CB Ty Law. CB Antoine Winfield has just one interception so far this season after recording four picks in each of the previous two campaigns.

NOTEWORTHY

Former San Diego State LB Heath Farwell has seven tackles on special teams. Farwell was the Vikings' special teams' MVP in 2006 after recording 25 tackles while covering kicks and punts. Ö The 55-yard field goal Ryan Longwell kicked to beat Chicago on Oct. 14 was the longest successful kick of his career. Ö Former Chargers RB Eric Bieniemy (1991-94) is Minnesota's running backs coach. Ö Area scout Frank Acevedo is a San Pasqual High graduate who also played at Palomar College.

- Mike Sullivan