Most of the offseason news and rumors around the Minnesota Vikings has been about the speculation that Brett Favre would come out of retirement once again and quarterback the Green Bay Packers big rival in the NFC North. Favre shocked football experts once again when he announced he would not be coming out of retirement at this time. The Vikings now are back to Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson.
The Vikings had a successful regular season in 2008. They won the NFC North with a 10-6 record, going 4-2 against the division. The season ended quickly as they were upset on their home field by the Philadelphia Eagles, 26-14.
Minnesota has a lot of speed. They already have the most dynamic running back in the NFL with Adrian Peterson. Peterson is a 11/4 betting favorite to lead the NFL in rushing yards at online sportsbook giant, Bodog. They drafted speedy and the controversial wide receiver from the Florida Gators, Percy Harvin. Now they just need someone to spread the ball out.
Minnesota was not a good team in Las Vegas when it comes to covering the spread. The Vikings were 6-10 against the spread, 6-11 if you count the playoffs. They were 1-5 ATS against the rest of the NFC North. Twice they were a home underdog and failed to cover both times.
At Bodog, the Vikings are 8/5 to win the NFC North. The Bears are 37/20, Green Bay is 2/1 and Detroit is 15/1. Minnesota is 7/1 to win the NFC Championship and only 12/1 to win the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV.
Minnesota starts the season with two road games but they will be favorites in both games. In game one, the Greek Sportsbook has Minnesota as a 3 point road favorite in Cleveland with the betting total set at 39. In week two they will be favored by close to a touchdown in Detroit. In fact, the Vikings will be favored to win by Vegas oddsmakers in their first six games and will not be an underdog until week 7 in Pittsburgh.
The Vikings have a brutal finish to their schedule. The last three will be on the road against Carolina and Chicago before hosting the New York Giants in the season finale. Can they get past the distraction of Brett Favre and repeat as NFC North Division champions? Discuss it in the CappersMall sports betting forum.
