EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A short run early in the game reminded all of what Adrian Peterson has accomplished in his career, resulting in another historic milestone. A long run later on reminded everyone what he can still do.

The Washington Redskins running back rushed for 149 yards in a 20-13 win over the New York Giants and clinching the victory with a 64-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

In the second quarter, Peterson passed former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett for ninth place on the NFL's all-time leading rusher chart. Peterson, who has now run for 12,863 yards, entered the game needing 25 yards and achieved that in the second quarter on a five-yard run to push him past Dorsett's total of 12,739.

Peterson grew up in Palestine, Texas, as a Cowboys fan. He's marveled at the other names he's passed this season -- Marshall Faulk and Jim Brown. Dorsett is different.

"It means a lot," Peterson said. "He inspired me, being a guy who played for the Cowboys and accomplishing the things he accomplished in his career, and that's what I set out to accomplish in my career. So, I appreciate it, and hope to continue to pass more guys on the list."

Peterson now trails Eric Dickerson by 396 yards for seventh place. The 33-year-old Peterson has 587 yards rushing this season and is on pace for 1,342. In Washington's five wins, Peterson has averaged 112.2 yards. He also caught a 7-yard touchdown pass Sunday, his first since the 2013 season.

Peterson is a big reason why Washington (5-2) has won three straight with 345 yards in that span. Teammates say his impact extends beyond the field. It's also tough to imagine them being 5-2 had they not signed Peterson in mid-August, a week after Derrius Guice tore his ACL.

"I mean, look at the history of him being in the NFL," Redskins tackle Morgan Moses said. "It speaks for itself. Just the leadership he brings to the team. You got a Hall of Fame running back. Anytime you see a guy like that playing through injuries, it makes you play a little harder. The guy is 30-something years old and he's still running with a full head of steam. To have a back like that you know has a one-cut and hit the field, it's a great feeling."

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

That's what he showed on his 64-yard touchdown -- his longest run since the 2015 season.

"It has been a long drought since I broke one," Peterson said. "Guys kept saying 'Keep eatin', keep gettin' it, you'll break one.' Felt good to break through."

It started with excellent blocking by right guard Brandon Scherff and center Chase Roullier, pulling to the right. Peterson also showed more patience on the play, called 16 G force -- the second part of the name refers to the pulling action. According to Next Gen Stats, Peterson reached a peak speed of 20.37 miles per hour on his run, the eighth-fastest rushing touchdown by a running back this season. That also gave him 15 touchdown runs of 50 yards or longer, tying Barry Sanders for the most in NFL history.

Yes, Peterson still has something left.

"That's what you call a walk-off run," Redskins left tackle Trent Williams said.

Of course, the game wasn't yet over, but it did give Washington a 14-point lead with 3 minutes, 6 seconds remaining. But the play also showed Peterson's growing comfort level. He talked to Scherff earlier in the week about when he pulls and how he can play off him. On this play, Peterson took his time and then showed his burst.

"I actually felt a little fast early [in the game]," Peterson said. "I was getting back in the rhythm and being patient. Patience really developed that play as well and allowed those guys to do that."

That play wiped out what was a disastrous way for Peterson to end the third quarter. He fumbled at the Giants' 17-yard line, leading to a 43-yard recovery and run by Olivier Vernon. After that fumble, Peterson took off: He carried seven times for 37 yards before the 64-yarder.

"He bounced back after the fumble, and you just have to keep feeding a guy like that," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "You don't want to become too one-dimensional. You have to try to mix in some play-action passes here and there -- we have to do a better job of that on first and second down. To be able to rely on a guy like that in that situation is critical for the success of this football team."