ESPNer DIDN’T BELIEVE IN PURPLE JESUS BEFORE BIG DAY: Matthew Berry was so worried about Adrian Peterson.

THE BIG LEAD notes that the ESPN fantasy football analyst had concerns about how well the Vikings running back would do that weekend.From Berry’s article last week about AP, under his heading “I’m officially worried about…”:

“It’s not as if he didn’t get the ball plenty. But his 20 carries were good enough for only 70 yards, and he gets the strong run defenses of the Chargers, Packers and Giants in three of the next four.”

The following Sunday, Peterson went on to chew up an NFL- record 296 yards against the San Diego D, making many Vikes fans and fantasy owners very, very happy.

Maybe Berry should be officially worried about his own predictions.

• Darren Rovell of CNBC is in the money, as Adrian Peterson is worth a fantasy football fortune:

• BALLSIEST knows Rob Stone is feeling hot, hot, hot, after the ESPN sideline reporter eats the world’s hottest pepper.• AWFUL ANNOUNCING hits the mute button, as they offer up their Worst Announcer Tournament.

• SPIRIT OF JAKE PLUMMER quenches their thirst, by comparing this season’s NFL teams to soft drinks:

• RUMORS AND RANTS believes that A-Rod’s $300 million asking price is actually a bargain.• EPIC CARNIVAL gets a kick out of the sort-of return of the Super Toe toy.

• INSIDE SOCAL gets offensive in asking USC fans which Trojan coordinator they would prefer:

• HUGGING HAROLD REYNOLDS reminds you there’s no crying in baseball, as Yankee broadcaster Suzyn Waldman tears up about Joe Girardi’s hiring.• THE LAZY EYE OF STUART SCOTT gets down with Hall & Oates, who congratulate Adrian Peterson on his big day.

• FULL COURT PRESS finds Ric Bucher batting 1.000, as the ESPN analyst aggravates Pistons president Joe Dumars with his incorrect Kobe-to-Detroit trade rumors:

• JEN’S FREE THROWS comes on down, as Grant Hill & his mom are ready to play the Family Feud.• PART MULE offers an olive branch, as the U.N. wants everyone to call a truce during the Beijing Olympics.