2009 Minnesota Vikings NFL Odds - Vikings 18-1 in Super Bowl Odds

The Minnesota Vikings have gone from serious contenders in Super Bowl odds to just another team without having played a game yet in 2009. When Brett Favre was thought to be joining the Vikings their Super Bowl odds dropped to as low as 12-1. Now that Favre is not part of the picture, the NFL odds have risen slightly from 18-1 at online sportsbooks. That should tell you that not very many people like Minnesota’s quarterback situation. The problem at quarterback is the key issue for Minnesota entering the 2009 season.

Neither Tarvaris Jackson, nor Sage Rosenfels who the Vikings got in a trade with Houston, inspire much confidence. Head coach Brad Childress could be in his last year if the Vikings don’t make the playoffs and that is a distinct possibility since Minnesota doesn’t have an NFL quality signal caller. The Vikings do have a lot of other pieces though. They have a superstar running back in Adrian Peterson and a very good offensive line. Peterson won the rushing title in the NFL last season with 1,760 yards. His backup Chester Taylor is a good one and could start for a lot of teams. Minnesota has Bernard Berrian at receiver and not much else.

Berrian is a nice deep threat but there just isn’t anyone behind him. Bobby Wade is a slot receiver but has no breakaway potential and Sidney Rice has yet to show he can stay healthy. The team did take Percy Harvin in the draft so perhaps he will upgrade the position. The tight ends are very good with Visanthe Shiancoe and Jim Kleinsasser. The offensive line is good but last year it was great. The Vikings lost Pro Bowl center Matt Birk to Baltimore and he can’t be replaced. The team still has Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie but the loss of Birk is huge. The team did take Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma in the second round and he might start immediately. Minnesota’s defense is very good as defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has done a nice job. He is already a strong head coaching candidate and could move into the head job at Minnesota if Childress fails this season.

The Vikings have a great defensive line with Jared Allen, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. Whether or not Pat and Kevin can play the first four games of the season is still in question as they are both fighting four game suspensions. The linebacking corps gets a big boost this season as E.J. Henderson returns from injury. Chad Greenway is an excellent linebacker as well and Ben Leber is a solid veteran. The secondary is led by Antoine Winfield who is one of the best corners in the league. Cedric Griffin is the other corner and he is also very good. The safeties are weak though and that is an issue. The Vikings have an excellent kicker in Ryan Longwell and a solid punter in Chris Kluwe. A lot is expected out of Minnesota this season in NFL odds but a team with Jackson or Rosenfels at quarterback just doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence and the NFC North is tough with Green Bay and Chicago looking strong.