2010 NFL Predictions: Minnesota Vikings

August 25, 2010

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings went from being a good team to a Super Bowl contender. All it took was an upgrade at the quarterback position. The Vikings landed future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, and he led them to a 12-4 record and an NFC North title. Minnesota would come up short in the NFC Championship game, but with Favre back, it is confident it can make another run at a Super Bowl.

In this article, we’ll take a quick look at both sides of the football.  Then, I’ll make my prediction on Minnesota’s finishing position in the NFC North division.

Offense: While running back Adrian Peterson had previously been the biggest star on the Vikings, Favre stole the show in 2009. He posted a career-best 107.2 quarterback rating while completing 68.4 percent of his passes for 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Favre’s consistently good play helped the Vikings boast the second-best scoring offense in the league, one that averaged29.4 points per game.

While Peterson may be playing second fiddle to Favre, he is still one of the top two or three running backs in the entire NFL. He has rushed for more than 1,300 yards in each of his first three seasons.

With Favre spreading the wealth, four receivers caught more than 50 passes in 2009. Favre and Sidney Rice especially clicked, so his hip injury will certainly hurt.  Rice hauled in 83 receptions for 1,312 yards on his way to a Pro Bowl campaign.  Rookie Percy Harvin also impressed with 60 catches and 790 yards.  He will have to play a bigger role this season, so hopefully his migraines will remain under control.

With all five starters back up front, the Minnesota offense should remain tough to stop.

Defense: With Pat and Kevin Williams and Jared Allen anchoring things up front, the Vikings have perhaps the best defensive line in the entire NFL. The Williams boys are elite run stuffers. They have helped Minnesota finish in the top two in rushing defense each of the last four seasons.

Led by Allen, the Vikings led the entire NFL in sacks last season. Allen had 14.5 of Minnesota’s 48 sacks. It was his third straight season with at least 14.5. Minnesota’s pass rush is what makes it such a dangerous defensive team.

The Vikings only came up with 11 interceptions last season, but I expect that number to go up in 2010. Strong pass rushes create turnovers. It’s just up to the linebackers and defensive backs to anticipate and makes plays. We know we can count on some big plays from linebacker Chad Greenway and cornerback Cedric Griffin. These two combined for seven of the teams 11 picks last season.

Prediction: 1st NFC North – Favre is the difference maker. As long as he’s healthy, the Vikings will have an excellent opportunity to make a Super Bowl run. Green Bay will certainly push the Vikes in the NFC North, but the Packers had no answer for Favre and Allen last year. I believe that will still be the case as Minnesota uses last year’s NFC title game blunder as a strong motivator throughout the season. NFL lines makers have listed the Vikings at +150 to win the NFC North. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the other seven divisions.

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Posted by Jimmy Boyd · Filed Under Football Picks, Football Predictions, Football Rankings 

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