Patrick Peterson Had One of His Best Seasons in 2022

Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

After a decade in Arizona with the Cardinals, Patrick Peterson came to the Minnesota Vikings. As a veteran defensive back, he seemed like the perfect presence in the locker room, and he still possessed the talent to hold down a top cornerback spot in the NFL. Now after his 12th regular season, it’s possible that Patrick Peterson had one of his best seasons of his NFL career in 2022.

Over the course of his career Patrick Peterson has been named a first team All-Pro three separate times. He has also been voted to the Pro Bowl on eight different occasions with the last coming during the 2018 season. As he suggested was the case following a game-sealing interception against the New York Giants, this season may have been among his best.

It has certainly been a season of standout performances for Peterson. He enjoyed an interception to start in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, then made a statement against his former team out of the bye in Week 8. With the recent Call of Duty version dropping, Peterson made sure to get a barb in at opposing quarterback Kyler Murray, and he had plenty of words for the sideline as well.

During arguably one of Minnesota’s best games in franchise history, Peterson picked off Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen to seal a comeback on the road against the Buffalo Bills. It was his second interception of the day. He tools some lumps during the next few weeks with a pair of losses coming, but he rebounded well in saving an otherwise poor day against the New York Giants.

Patrick Peterson Had One of His Best Seasons in 2022
Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) celebrates his interception during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

After the shellacking by Green Bay during Week 17, Peterson handled business, as he should have, against a bad Bears team on Sunday. Picking off his fifth pass of the season, Tim Boyle threw an arm punt to Peterson and allowed him to camp under the ball. Chicago has next to nothing in the form of skill position players, and Peterson made his presence known when targeted.

This weekend Peterson will get another shot at the New York Giants. Isaiah Hodgins did plenty of talking in the first matchup a few weeks ago, and it’s fair to say he had Peterson’s number plenty. Racking up 89 yards and a touchdown on eight catches, Daniel Jones’ target won plenty early throughout the day.

Much of the matchup as a whole felt lifeless, and neither team did a great job establishing their desire to come out ahead. It was the late game interception by Peterson that turned the tide, and he can ride that momentum into the rematch this weekend.

7 Big Storylines for Cardinals at Vikings
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson. © Michael Chow via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

Despite now being a 32-year-old veteran, Peterson’s five interceptions are the most he’s had in a single-season since posting seven during 2012. His 15 passes defended are also the second-most dating back to his second year in the league, and his 66 tackles rank first among his career numbers. Although Ed Donatell needed plenty more from his secondary as a whole this season, it has been a joy to watch Peterson continue to perform at such a high level.

It remains to be seen how Minnesota will handle their cornerbacks a year from now. The group still needs plenty of help, and Peterson re-signed on just a one-year deal. If he wants to continue playing football, there is no reason the Vikings shouldn’t want to welcome him back, and a deep playoff run could give him continued time to show off his abilities.

Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.

Share: