 -- ATLANTA -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is now in 19th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list, having passed two retired backs during the first half of the Vikings' game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

The first one Peterson passed carried a special significance for him.

Peterson passed O.J. Simpson for 20th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list with a 10-yard run in the second quarter, eclipsing Simpson's career total of 11,236 yards. On his next carry, Peterson went past Corey Dillon, who was in 19th place with 11,241 yards.

Peterson said last month that Simpson was one of the running backs he most looked forward to passing as he climbed the NFL's rushing leaderboard. He'll next set his sights on John Riggins, who is in 18th place with 11,352 yards.

The running back also scored a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter, giving him seven for the season and a TD in four consecutive games. That streak is Peterson's longest since 2012, according to ESPN Stats and Information, and gave him 93 rushing TDs for his career. Peterson leads active players in rushing touchdowns and is 10th in NFL history. He needs six to tie Barry Sanders for ninth all time.