Minnesota Vikings 2012-2013 Season Odds

The Vikings ship sunk even lower last season as they bottomed out in the NFC North with a 3-13 record. That's a fast fall for a team that was one win from the Super Bowl a few years ago.

Odds to win NFC North: +3500
Regular Season Win Total: 6 (Over even)
Props: NFL Def ROTY odds Harrison Smith 14/1

The Vikings started last season with Donovan McNabb at quarterback, but that experiment ended quickly and 2011 first round pick Christian Ponder was thrown to the fire right away. Ponder passed for 1853 yards with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and he was sacked 30 times in only 11 games.

Percy Harvin remains Ponder's top target and as long as he can stay healthy and avoid the migraines that have plagued him throughout his career he will be a triple-threat for the Vikes again. Last season Harvin rushed for 345 yards, led Minnesota with 867 receiving yards and returned kickoffs for 530 yards and a touchdown.

The passing game may be a work in progress for Minnesota, but the running game is in the reliable hands of Adrian Peterson. If he can start the season that is. Peterson rushed for 970 yards on 208 carries with 12 touchdowns last season before tearing the ACL and MCL in his knee and ending his season early. Despite only having knee surgery in January Peterson has miraculously rehabbed his knee fast enough that he could start the season on time. Knee injuries are fickle and there's no guarantee Peterson will be his old self right away.

The once strong Minnesota defense continued their downward spiral last season. The Vikings were ranked 21st in total yards (358.2 yards per game) and 21st in points allowed (28.1 points per game) last season. Jared Allen continues to be a sack machine after leading the league with 22 sacks last season, but there isn't much more to be optimistic about on the Vikes D.

Odds to win NFC North at Bovada as of August 20
Green Bay Packers -275
Detroit Lions +450
Chicago Bears +350
Minnesota Vikings +3500

2012 Minnesota Vikings Schedule (All time Eastern)

01 Sep 9 JAC @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
02 Sep 16 MIN @ IND (Lucas Oil Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
03 Sep 23 SF @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
04 Sep 30 MIN @ DET (Ford Field 1:00pm FOX)
05 Oct 7 TEN @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 4:25pm CBS)
06 Oct 14 MIN @ WAS (FedExField 4:25pm FOX)
07 Oct 21 ARI @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 4:25pm FOX)
08 Oct 25 TB @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 8:20pm NFL)
09 Nov 4 MIN @ SEA (Qwest Field 4:05p, FOX)
10 Nov 11 DET @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
11 BYE
12 Nov 25 MIN @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
13 Dec 2 MIN @ GB (Lambeau Field 1:00pm FOX)
14 Dec 9 CHI @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
15 Dec 16 MIN @ STL (Edward Jones Dome 1:00pm FOX)
16 Dec 23 MIN @ HOU (Reliant Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
17 GB @ MIN (Mall of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)

Minnesota Vikings 2011-2012 Season Odds Preview

Coming off of a great year in 2009, Minnesota entered the season in 2010 as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl out of the NFC.

The wheels came off, and the Vikings missed the playoffs entirely with a 6-10 record. Now, they enter the season being written off as the division’s worst team. Without big expectations and Brett Favre drama, Minnesota hopes to bounce back right away.

Odds to Win NFC North: +1000
Regular Season Win Total: Over 7 (-130)
Props: MVP Odds Adrian Peterson 20/1

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With Brett Favre retiring and Tarvaris Jackson leaving for Seattle, Minnesota needed a quarterback. They settled on Donovan McNabb, who is coming off of a disappointing year in Washington. Some blame coach Mike Shanahan for McNabb’s struggles, while others suggest he’s over the hill. He’ll have a chance to prove which is true in Minnesota.

Running back Adrian Peterson will continue to be the focal point of the offense and will get a healthy dose of carries and touchdowns. With Peterson always commanding the respect of opposing defenses, there should be plenty of passing lanes open for McNabb.

Losing wide receiver Sidney Rice was a big blow to the offense, but Minnesota brought in Devin Aromashodu and Michael Jenkins to replace his production.

Defensively, Minnesota shouldn’t see too much of a drop off from last season, when they ranked ninth in rushing yards against (102.2 per game) and 10th in passing yards against (210.4).

The defensive line is a concern after Jared Allen with the loss of defensive end Ray Edwards, but the addition of veteran Stylez White to a talented young group should help shore things up.

Brett Favre found new life in Minnesota in 2009, putting together one of the best seasons of his career. Can Donovan McNabb find a similar career rejuvenation in the purple and gold? If he does, Minnesota could be in the hunt for a playoff spot; if not, it will likely be another long season for the Vikings.

Week 1: at San Diego

NFC North Odds at Bodog as of August 22:
Green Bay Packers -220
Detroit Lions +450
Chicago Bears +500
Minnesota Vikings +1000

2011 Minnesota Vikings Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 11 MIN @ SD (Qualcomm Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
02 Sep 18 TB @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)
03 Sep 25 DET @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)
04 Oct 02 MIN @ KC (Arrowhead Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
05 Oct 09 ARI @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)
06 Oct 16 MIN @ CHI (Soldier Field 8:20pm NBC)
07 Oct 23 GB @ MIN (Mall of America Field 4:15pm FOX)
08 Oct 30 MIN @ CAR (Bank of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
09 Bye
10 Nov 14 MIN @ GB (Lambeau Field 8:30pm ESPN)
11 Nov 20 OAK @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm CBS)
12 Nov 27 MIN @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
13 Dec 04 DEN @ MIN (Mall of America Field 4:05pm CBS)
14 Dec 11 MIN @ DET (Ford Field 1:00pm FOX)
15 Dec 18 NO @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)
16 Dec 24 MIN @ WAS (FedExField 1:00pm FOX)
17 Jan 01 CHI @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm FOX)