Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings enter this season poised to take over as the best team in the NFC North. Minnesota almost made the playoffs last year, rebounding from a 1-3 start to get to 8-6, only to lose its last two games to finish at 8-8. Which, all things considered, wasn't too bad for a team in its second year under a new head coach, and with a first-year starter at quarterback.

A couple of statistics from last year jump out when previewing this team’s outlook in 2008. Minnesota led the league in rushing at 165 YPG, and ranked first in the league in run defense by allowing just 74 YPG. And usually, when outrushing your opponents by 90 YPG, you're going to win a lot of games and cover a lot of point spreads. But Minnesota just didn't get the production it needed out of the QB position; former Alabama State quarterback Tarvaris Jackson hit for just a 58% completion rate and compiled a 9/12 TD/INT ratio, as the Vikes ranked 28^th in passing at just 172 YPG and 26^th in 3^rd-down conversions at 34.5%.

On the other side of the ball, the Minnesota defense ranked 20^th overall at 338 YPG, and dead last vs. the pass at 264 YPG. All of which is why the Vikings could only manage to go 7-7-2 against the spread on the NFL betting lines.

This season, coach Brad Childress is sticking with Jackson, but will again rely mainly on that potent running game, paced by RBs Adrian Peterson (1,300 yards and 12 TDs as a rookie last year) and Chester Taylor. And the Vikes bolstered their receiving corps by signing WR Bernard Berrian away from the Bears over the offseason. Minnesota also pulled off a trade for DE Jared Allen, who led the NFL in sacks last year for Kansas City. His press up front will be counted on to help out that beleaguered defensive backfield. And the Williamses, Kevin and Pat, make up maybe the best DT combo in all of pro ball.

The Vikings lost three games by three points last year, two of those in overtime. But with improved play at QB, a full season of healthy production out of Peterson, and more balance on defense, that record in close games against the football odds could easily reverse itself this season. And the North is wide open this year – even the Lions have a shot. Add it up, and Minnesota has an excellent chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time in four years.