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NFL Predictions 2008 Minnesota Vikings |
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Written by Jimmy Boyd
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Thursday, 03 July 2008
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 After an 8-8 season, which included a late run at the playoffs by winning five in a row, the Vikings appear to be heading in the right direction. What is in store for this team in year three under coach Brad Childress? SportsBetting.com has the Minnesota Vikings are listed 18 to 1 odds to win Super Bowl 43. NFL Predictions Expert Jimmy Boyd has your answer in his 2008 Minnesota Viking predictions and season preview for Point-Spreads.com.
Offense - The Vikings will go to battle with Tarvaris Jackson under center again in '08. He posted a solid 8-4 record as starter, but the fact that he threw 12 interceptions and just nine touchdowns in a little worrisome. He is mobile and he has Childress' support. The Vikes signed veteran Gus Frerotte to be the primary backup. Fifth round draft pick John David Booty will compete with Brooks Bollinger for third string.
The Vikings found offense when they drafted running back Adrian Peterson who emerged as one of the most explosive backs in football in his rookie season. The fact that he failed to reach the 100-yard mark in his final four games has more to do with teams playing the run and daring Jackson to beat them through the air. He rushed for over 200 yards on two different occasions last year and broke the NFL's single-game rushing record when he ran all over the Chargers for 296 yards. Backup Chester Taylor is no slouch. The two combined to make the Vikings the best rushing team in the NFL last season.
The Vikes needed help at the receiver position so they signed deep threat Bernard Berrian from the Bears. The Vikes hope that Berrian will be able to help them stretch the field to give their running back plenty of room to operate. Sidney Rice has a big upside as well. The 6'4'' Rice is great on those red zone fade routes. The Vikes return all five offensive line starters from a unit which helped Minnesota lead the league in rushing – 164.4 yards per game. Center Matt Birk and left guard Steve Hutchinson are coming off Pro Bowl seasons.
Defense - The Vikings defensive line has proven to be effective in stopping the run, but it has failed to apply enough pressure to slow down opposing passing attacks. The Vikings look to take care of that deficiency with the addition of defensive end Jared Allen. Allen led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season. It's crazy to think that his sack total was 10.5 more than the highest player on the Vikings.
The NFC North has some of the finest linebacker crews in the NFL and the Vikings might just have the best. E.J. Henderson has a Pro Bowl-caliber season at middle linebacker. He led the Vikings defense with 155 tackles and added 4.5 sacks. Chad Greenway rules the weak side and Ben Leber takes over at strong side. Darren Sharper will turn 33 this season, but he is still the leader of this defense at the safety position. Madieu Williams will play the other safety spot and Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin return as the starting corners.
Special Teams - Place kicker Ryan Longwell was able to improve his distance on kickoffs and connected on 20 of 24 field goal attempts last season. Punter Chris Kluwe got a big six-year, $8.3 million contract extension last fall and showed his appreciation by averaging 44.7 yards per punt. Running back Maurice Hicks is the leading candidate to return kicks.
NFL Predictions on the 2008 Minnesota Vikings – 1st NFC North
With Favre calling it quits, and with the Bears offense showing no signs of drastic improvement, Minnesota should win the NFC North by default.
SportsBetting.com has posted football betting odds on various 2008 NFL Predictions to win Super Bowl 43:
Arizona Cardinals
50 - 1
Atlanta Falcons
100 - 1
Baltimore Ravens
75 - 1
Buffalo Bills
50 - 1
Carolina Panthers
40 - 1
Chicago Bears
35 - 1
Cincinnati Bengals
60 - 1
Cleveland Browns
25 - 1
Dallas Cowboys
6 - 1
Denver Broncos
50 - 1
Detroit Lions
80 - 1
Green Bay Packers
25 - 1
Houston Texans
60 - 1
Indianapolis Colts
7 - 1
Jacksonville Jaguars
12 - 1
Kansas City Chiefs
100 - 1
Miami Dolphins
90 - 1
Minnesota Vikings
18 - 1
New England Patriots
7 - 2
New Orleans Saints
20 - 1
New York Giants
15 - 1
New York Jets
35 - 1
Oakland Raiders
50 - 1
Philadelphia Eagles
20 - 1
Pittsburgh Steelers
14 - 1
Saint Louis Rams
75 - 1
San Diego Chargers
7 - 1
San Francisco 49ers
80 - 1
Seattle Seahawks
25 - 1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers
40 - 1
Tennessee Titans
40 - 1
Washington Redskins
50 - 1
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
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