Minnesota Vikings 2010 Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds
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Minnesota Vikings 2009 NFL Record: 12-4 Home: 8-0 Away: 4-4
Minnesota Vikings 2010 Preview
After coming tantalizingly dose to earning a trip to the Super Bowl last season, the Vilcings approached this season with the same question hanging over their heads as the previous summer: Will Brett Favre be their quarterback? In typical Favre fashion, he retreated to his Mississippi home after the season without making any public declaration about his intentions, saying only that he would take his time. Even so, most Vikings fans and observers expect that he will return for his 20th season, thus ensuring the Vikings again will be considered a Super Bowl contender. Favre had one of the best seasons of his career in 2009, and there’s no reason to think he can’t continue to play at a high level while surrounded by lots of talent on offense. With Favre, the Vikings have the pieces in place in all three phases to make a run at a championship. The schedule is more difficult this season, but they have a group of core veterans who realize their window of opportunity is open right now.
2010 Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks
Favre’s decision to postpone retirement for a second time last season was greeted with some skepticism. So much for that. Favre played magnificently despite turning 40 in October. He completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Favre’s surgically repaired right arm held up, and his teammates embraced him. Favre’s experience last season is why many believe he will return in 2010. It will be difficult to duplicate his 2009 production, but Favre certainly wants to redeem himself after throwing an interception on a potential game-winning drive against the Saints in the NFC Championship Game. In the unlikely event that Favre doesn’t return, the Vikings will turn the offense over to either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. Jackson held the No.2 job all last season and presumably will handle that role again. The Vikings traded for Rosenfels last offseason before Favre came out of retirement, and the veteran was inactive every game.
2010 Minnesota Vikings Running Backs
Peterson has rushed for more yards than any NFL running back over the past three seasons. He has also fumbled more times, and that has become a n1ajor problem. Peterson vowed to make substantive changes in how he protects the ball after fun1bling twice and causing a botched exchange with Favre in the NFC title gamme. Peterson’s production dropped as the Vikings relied more on the passing game last season. He failed to rush for 100 yards in any of the final seven regular-season games. But make no mistake: Peterson remains the focal point for opposing defensive coordinators. Even so, the Vikings need Peterson to play a bigger role on third down now that Chester Taylor is in Chicago. Peterson improved as a receiver out of the backfield last season, and he needs to continue to make strides and also show that he’s reliable in pass protection. The Vikings drafted Heisman Trophy runner-up Toby Gerhart, a punishing runner at Stanford who should help take some of the burden off Peterson. The Vikings also like third-year back Albert Young, who will compete with Gerhart for the No. 2 job.
2010 Minnesota Vikings Receivers
The receiving corps was a major question heading into last season, but now it’s a position of strength. Sidney Rice thrived wi th Favre as his quarterback and earned his first Pro Bowl trip. Rice is a terrific talent who uses his size (6’4″) and catch radius to his advantage in one-on-one n1atchups. Percy Harvin, who won Offensive Roolcie of the Year honors in 2009, is a dynamic slot receiver who quickly earned Favre’s trust, particularly on third down Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe creates matchup problems for defenses because of his combination of size and speed, and he is a force in the red zone (11 touchdowns last season). Bernard Berrian struggled with a hamstring injury last year, but he can stretch the field with his speed when healthy.
2010 Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line
This group needs to show more consistency. With two new starters in 2009, the line struggled at times and contributed to problems in the running game. Left guard Steve Hutchinson is still an elite player, but left tackle Bryant McKinnie must give a more consistent effort. Center John Sullivan had a bull’seye on him last season as the replacement for long-time Viking Matt Birk. Sullivan did a decent job, particularly against much larger nosetackles, but the Vikings are counting on him to make big strides this season. Sullivan compensates for his lack of size by using his quickness and savvy. Right tackle Phil Loadholt returns after a promising rookie season in which he proved to be better in pass protection than originally thought. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor who could be a staple on the line for years. Anthony Herrera returns at right guard, but a lack of depth up front is a concern. The Vikings lost their top backup, Artis Hicks, to Washington in free agency and need to find someone who can play multiple positions.
| 2010 Minnesota Vikings Schedule | 2010 NFC North Preview | 2010 NFC Conference Preview Minnesota Vikings Sportsbooks |
2010 Minnesota Vikings Defense
The Vikings should have one of the premier fronts in the NFL again this season. Jared Allen is a pass-rushing terror off the edge. Allen’s 72 sacks since 2004 lead all NFL players in that span. It also helps that he has tackle Kevin Williams playing beside him. Williams is a perennial All-Pro player who can rush the quarterback and is tough against the run. He makes it difficult for teams to double-team Allen on the outside. Nosetackle Pat Williams is returning for his 14th season after saying he would consider retirement. Pat Williams plays only in running situations and has battled injuries the past few seasons, but he’s still a tough run-stopper when healthy. Left end Ray Edwards is coming off the best season of his career (8.5 sacks). Edwards sees more than his share of one-on-one matchups because ofAllen and the Williams Wall, and he’s capable of winning those battles. The Vikings already had good depth along the line before adding USC defensive end Everson Griffen in the draft.
The key to this unit is the health of middle linebacker and team captain E.J. Henderson, who is trying to return from a fractured femur suffered last December. It was a horrific injury that left Henderson’s playing future in doubt, but he says he hopes to be ready to start training camp. That would be a huge lift to a unit that missed his presence. Chad Greenway is on track to become a Pro Bowl player, and veteran Ben Leber is an unsung hero who played in the middle in nickel situations. Jasper Brinkley, a rookie fifth-round pick last year, started in place of Henderson after the injury and showed some promise. Brinkley is a big hitter who is more comfortable defending the run than the pass.
Favre’s decision notwithstanding, the secondary was the biggest question for the Vikings this offseason. Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield is coming off a serious foot injury and is entering his 12th season. Cedric Griffin suffered a torn ACL covering a kickoff in the NFC title game and likely won’t be ready by the start of the season. The team signed veteran Lito Sheppard on the eve of the draft as insurance. Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was released by the Jets after one season and now should get a chance to start as Griffin recovers. The Vikings also drafted Virginia cornerback Chris Cook with the No. 34 overall pick. The Vikings must get better play from their safeties this season. Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams missed too many tackles and combined for only one interception last season. Second-year safety Jamarca Sanford will push both for a starting job in camp.
Minnesota Vikings 2010 Season Prediction
The Vikings will enter the season as a legitimate Super Bowl contender if, as expected, Favre returns for a second season. This is a veteran teaIll full of stars that is built to win now. The schedule is more difficult than in 2009, but the talent is in place to make another deep postseason run.
We predict that the Minnesota Vikings will finish 2nd in the NFC North, with a record of 11-5 and a wildcard berth in the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings Betting
NFC North Odds: +150 NFC Conference Odds: 60-1 Super Bowl Odds: 12-1
Minnesota Vikings Five-Year Win Betting Trends
2005: 9 2006: 6 2007: 8 2008: 10 2009: 12
Bet on the Minnesota Vikings
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