Minnesota Vikings 2010 NFL Preview, Schedule, Odds, and Predictions: This time last year it was a bicep issue, now it’s an ankle, or does Brett Favre just not want to go to camp. 2009 was a dream year for the Vikings with Favre pulling one rabbit after another out of his helmet like a young magician. But it ended when the Saints pulled the tablecloth out from under them 31-28 in the NFC Championship game. Brett hurt his ankle and had surgery this summer, now the game has begun again, my gut says he’ll play(update: Favre has since returned to play after this article was drafted). Both ways they will be good and Vegas odds makers have the Minnesota Vikings as +800 odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl.
Head football coach Brad Childress has steadily built the Vikings into one of the top teams in the NFL while sidelining as an armadillo hunter with quarterback in waiting Brett Favre. Childress has been patient and consistent, not just pursuing Favre, his coordinators; offensively Darrell Bevell is entering his fifth season with the team, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is in his fourth. The odds makers at JustBET have the Minnesota Vikings listed at +460 odds to win the 2010 NFC Championship.
Offensively the Vikings are loaded with Brett Favre under center or Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. It’s a variation of the west coast offense with interchangeable pieces, but the motivational aspect Favre brings can’t be matched. Adrian Peterson has rushed for more yards than any NFL running back over the past three seasons but is fumble prone. The Vikings drafted Heisman Trophy runner-up Toby Gerhart who lead the nation in rushing last season. Wide receiver Percy Harvin won the Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2009. The Vegas odds makers have the Minnesota Vikings listed at -250 odds to win the 2010 NFC North.
Defensively the Vikings have one of the best lines in the NFL with Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and nosetackle Pat Williams. Building for the future they also drafted USC defensive end Everson Griffen. Team captain E.J. Henderson returns from injury to anchor the middle at linebacker. The team signed veteran Lito Sheppard and also drafted Virginia cornerback Chris Cook to shore up the defensive backfield. The odds makers at JustBET have the Minnesota Vikings middle number listed at over/under 10 wins for the 2010 NFL regular season.
With a more difficult schedule this year the Vikings will have to live up to their potential to make another run at the Super Bowl. Farve returns to lead them to a 12-4 record winning the NFC North and taking them to the big game!
2010 Minnesota Vikings Preseason Schedule
1 Sat, Aug 14 @ St. Louis
2 Sun, Aug 22 @ San Francisco 8:00 PM NBC
3 Sat, Aug 28 vs Seattle 8:00 PM
4 Thu, Sep 2 vs Denver 8:00 PM
2010 Minnesota Vikings Regular Season Schedule
1 Thu, Sep 9 @ New Orleans 8:30 PM NBC
2 Sun, Sep 19 vs Miami 1:00 PM CBS
3 Sun, Sep 26 vs Detroit 1:00 PM FOX
4 BYE WEEK
5 Mon, Oct 11 @ New York 8:30 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 vs Dallas 4:15 PM FOX
7 Sun, Oct 24 @ Green Bay 8:20 PM NBC
8 Sun, Oct 31 @ New England 4:15 PM FOX
9 Sun, Nov 7 vs Arizona 1:00 PM FOX
10 Sun, Nov 14 @ Chicago 1:00 PM FOX
11 Sun, Nov 21 vsGreen Bay 1:00 PM FOX
12 Sun, Nov 28 @ Washington 1:00 PM FOX
13 Sun, Dec 5 vs Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS
14 Sun, Dec 12 vs New York 1:00 PM FOX
15 Mon, Dec 20 vs Chicago 8:30 PM ESPN
16 Sun, Dec 26 @ Philadelphia 1:00 PM FOX
17 Sun, Jan 2 @Detroit 1:00 PM FOX