The rebuilding process is what the huge local Minnesota Vikings fan base will have to endure this year as they try to break in a green young Quarterback while replacing a popular Defensive Coordinator. Bodog.com has made the Minnesota Vikings 50 to 1 odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII.
The conservative West Coast Offense Head Coach Brad Childress runs will be lead by athletically gifted but inexperienced pocket passer Tavaris Jackson. The offensive unit looks to improve after ranking 26th in scoring offense last year .The O-Line has a solid foundation to build on and should be able to open holes for aggressive rookie Running Back Adrian Peterson. Peterson is the complete package and should be something very special. Pass catching Running Back Chester Taylor can be productive on the ground as well as in the short passing game with his soft hands. Wide Receiver is very weak but 6-4 250 lb. Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe runs like a wideout and is a future star.
The Vikings will run a 4-3 defense with a Tampa-2 coverage scheme. The Secondary is stacked featuring two junkyard mean Cornerbacks in Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin who will be physical with receivers at the line this year.
Last year opponents were completely shut down in the running game by Defensive Tackle studs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. These guys swallow running backs. The pass rush was poor last year but the men in purple plan on blitzing more and making use of some their heavy hitting Linebackers. Special Teams has an adequate Kicker in Ryan Longwell but is nothing special overall.
The Vikings could experience some growing pains early in the season with their reshuffled personnel. Peterson should emerge as a star in his rookie season and the defense has a solid foundation. This team should improve as the season goes along.
Brad Marchetti Opening Day Minnesota Vikings Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 50
Quarterback : 50
Backs : 70
Receivers : 40
Offensive Line : 70
Defensive Line : 65
Linebackers : 60
Secondary : 65
Special Teams : 50
Bodog.com has posted NFL betting odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII:
Arizona Cardinals 40/1
Atlanta Falcons 60/1
Baltimore Ravens 18/1
Buffalo Bills 100/1
Carolina Panthers 25/1
Chicago Bears 15/1
Cincinnati Bengals 15/1
Cleveland Browns 125/1
Dallas Cowboys 20/1
Denver Broncos 20/1
Detroit Lions 70/1
Green Bay Packers 38/1
Houston Texans 100/1
Indianapolis Colts 15/2
Jacksonville Jaguars 30/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Miami Dolphins 55/1
Minnesota Vikings 50/1
New England Patriots 8/5
New Orleans Saints 14/1
New York Giants 30/1
New York Jets 38/1
Oakland Raiders 70/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1
San Diego Chargers 6/1
San Francisco 49ers 15/1
Seattle Seahawks 18/1
St.Louis Rams 40/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45/1
Tennessee Titans 50/1
Washington Redskins 40/1
