NFL Futures: Since Brett Favre threw away a shot at the game winning field goal and a berth in the NFC championship game at New Orleans, the Vikings have never been the same. Head coach Brad Childress left with Favre the following year and the next head coach, Leslie Frazier, tried to ride the back of record-setting RB Adrian Peterson to a playoff berth in 2012 only to see his team revert back with a horrible 2013 season that cost Frazier and starting QB Christian Ponder his job. Mike Zimmer is now the coach and Kansas City castoff Matt Cassel is now the QB. One thing does remain the same: low expectations! Minnesota opened as a 100/1 choice to win the Super Bowl, a 40/1 choice to win the NFC championship, and with an over under win total of six -140 over +110 under.
The Great Outdoors
The Minnesota Vikings will play in the great outdoors at home for the first time since 1981 as they will have a temporary home at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium until their own new stadium is completed. Norv Turner arrives to coordinate the offense and work with Cassel. Last year Minnesota ranked 23rd for passing offense. Defense was an even bigger problem for the Vikings as they ranked 31st overall and dead last for scoring. Five free agents and seven draft picks arrive to shore up the defense.
Handicapper’s Notes
Minnesota has been a decent home value on the NFL board with just four losses in their last 15 home games as just seven out of their last 20 home games have gone under the total. The Vikings have covered the spread in just seven out of their last 17 away games with just eight out of their last 19 road games going under the total. The Vikings covered the spread in just 12 out of their last 18 games as a dog with 10 out of their last 13 games as a dog going over the total.
Our Prognosis
The Vikings do not compare favorably with NFC North rivals Green Bay, Chicago, or even Detroit on a talent and QB basis. A last place finish is likely as are losses on the betting board.
