Odds to win NFC North Division: +150
Odds to win the NFC Conference: 13/2
Minnesota Vikings Odds to win Super Bowl XLV: 12/1
Regular Season Wins Total Line: 9.5
*all odds quoted from Bodog*
Here’s what this year’s schedule looks like for the Vikings:
Week 1 Thursday, September 9, 2010 @ New Orleans Saints
Analysis: One of the keys to success for the Vikings in 2009 was that Favre was able to ease into the season against the Browns and Lions in the first two weeks, and a rematch of the NFC Championship against the defending Super Bowl champs will be a huge wake-up call right away.
Week 2 Sunday, September 19, 2010 vs. Miami Dolphins
Analysis: Unless Minnesota somehow pulls off an upset in New Orleans, this will be a virtual must-win in order for the team to enter the bye week with a winning record.
Week 3 Sunday, September 26, 2010 vs. Detroit Lions
Analysis: The Vikings will get a chance to breathe here before bracing for the storm of five straight games against playoff teams from last year after their bye.
Week 4 — BYE WEEK —
Week 5 Monday, October 11, 2010 @ New York Jets
Analysis: Favre will begin arguably one of the toughest stretches of his 20-year career with the first of three road games in four weeks, putting his NFL record 309-game consecutive starts streak on the line against the league’s top defense.
Week 6 Sunday, October 17, 2010 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Analysis: Coming off what should be an extremely physical game against the Jets on Monday Night Football, the Vikings need to prepare for a rematch with the Cowboys on short rest.
Week 7 Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ Green Bay Packers
Analysis: Minnesota was able to handle Green Bay in sweeping two meetings a year ago, but Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was the best player on the field in both games.
Week 8 Sunday, October 31, 2010 @ New England Patriots
Analysis: If the Vikings can make it through this rough part of their schedule with a 3-1 mark or better following a visit to New England, they might be ready for another run at the Super Bowl.
Week 9 Sunday, November 7, 2010 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Analysis: The Cardinals were an impressive 6-2 on the road last season, but that was with Kurt Warner under center.
Week 10 Sunday, November 14, 2010 @ Chicago Bears
Analysis: The Bears pulled off a 36-30 home win in the last meeting with Minnesota on Monday Night Football, giving them some confidence after getting crushed 36-10 in the previous matchup.
Week 11 Sunday, November 21, 2010 vs. Green Bay Packers
Analysis: The Packers begin the most difficult part of their schedule with the first of four road games in five weeks after their bye
Week 12 Sunday, November 28, 2010 @ Washington Redskins
Analysis: New Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan found a way to beat Favre in Super Bowl XXXII when he was with the Broncos and knows quarterbacks about as well as anybody in the NFL.
Week 13 Sunday, December 5, 2010 vs. Buffalo Bills
Analysis: The Vikings start a string of three straight home games against the Bills, who will be coming off a physical game against the Steelers.
Week 14 Sunday, December 12, 2010 vs. New York Giants
Analysis: Minnesota embarrassed the Giants 44-7 in last year’s regular-season finale even though the Vikings had nothing to play for so revenge could be a factor.
Week 15 Monday, December 20, 2010 vs. Chicago Bears
Analysis: The Vikings host the Bears in their home finale on Monday Night Football before closing out the season on the road.
Week 16 Sunday, December 26, 2010 @ Philadelphia Eagles
Analysis: The Eagles finish the regular season with what could be the most difficult last four games for any team as they must play Dallas twice, visit the Giants and host the Vikings here.
Week 17 Sunday, January 2, 2011 @ Detroit Lions
Analysis: The Lions will be coming off back-to-back visits to Florida but get to play their last three divisional games at home to end the season.
