Odds On Minnesota Vikings In 2010 May Depend On Favre

NFL News - February 10th, 2010 - Written by John

The Minnesota Vikings finished with their best season in a decade, but big expectations made "only" reaching NFC Championship game seem like a downer. Brett Favre had probably the best season of his career with 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns, but may decide to hang it up after 19 seasons. A lot hinges on his decision to stay or go, and will undoubtedly sway oddsmakers in their projections for the Vikings in 2010. For the time being, NFL Betting Lines have Minnesota as a 12-to-1 favorite to win the 2011 Super Bowl, according to Bodog.

The Vikings were the only team in the NFL to have a top-5 player in all three major offensive categories in 2009 and clinched the second-seed in the NFC bracket. They reached the conference championship for the first time since 1999, but turned the ball over five times against the New Orleans Saints, and lost to a field goal in overtime. Favre threw an interception in his final pass of that game, but has since been encouraged by his team to return for another year. With him, the Vikings are the clear favorite to at least win the NFC North again because Adrian Peterson remains a dangerous threat on the ground.

Peterson was second in the conference with 1,383 yards and 18 touchdowns, and was named to his second Pro Bowl. But his fumbling issue will be a key issue for coaches as the team enters training camp. He lost two fumbles in the conference championship, and six during the regular season. Cutting down on those numbers will allow coordinators to give him the ball more often in '10, and open up the passing game for another big year for Favre.

Sidney Rice led the team in receiving, and is the clear-cut no. 1 wideout coming into camp. He had 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns, and scored four times in the playoffs.