When NFL execs chose the Minnesota Vikings - San Francisco 49ers game to close out the opening week of the 2015 NFL season, they likely did so in the hope of seeing a dominant running back on display.
Their hopes were realized by the end of Monday Night Football, but, surprisingly, it wasn't the returning Adrian Peterson who claimed the headlines.
Having a day
Instead, 49ers' second-year running back Carlos Hyde was the driving force in Santa Clara - putting in an eye-opening performance punctuated by a stunning spin move and touchdown run, the footage of which will have 49ers fans hitting the replay button all week.
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With both teams having struggled to get anything going early at Levi's Stadium, and the game still tied up at 0-0 late in the second quarter, Hyde took the initiative with a touchdown play that looked more like something you'd see on Madden rather than the real-life gridiron:
The spin move was only the beginning for Carlos Hyde on a night when he outshone the veteran Pro Bowler on the other side.
Carrying the ball 26 times, Hyde racked up 168 yards while adding another touchdown midway through the fourth quarter courtesy of a 17-yard run that effectively secured the W for San Francisco.
Outshone
As for Adrian Peterson, the man who was supposed to grab the headlines in his first game back since sitting out virtually all of 2014 endured a frustrating night on the field.
The veteran managed just 52 combined yards, only 31 of which came on the ground, as the Vikings struggled to live up to the preseason hype during the 3-20 reverse.
NFL fans: Is Carlos Hyde the real deal, and where will AP rank amongst running backs in 2015? Have your say in the comments below...
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