Reviewing the early Minnesota Vikings NFC North Betting Odds for 2008 we already know they have one of the better defenses in the NFL.  The question this year is their quarterback Travaris Jackson and his turnovers.  If he can be consistent they will win the division easily. 

Minnesota wants to win right now, they haven't made the playoffs since 2004.  They have all the right tools this season to make a playoff run and they should win this division.  There not a Superbowl favorite just yet, but in the next couple of years they should be right up there.  They have an excellent chance of winning the division this year and getting a chance to experience the post season.  Looking at their schedule, they should split with Green Bay, or maybe win both and win 2-0 against the Bears and might go 2-0 against the Lions or split, they should make a 10 win season.  They made some key moves in the off-season and they are looking to win it all this year.  The NFC North Betting Odds at Sportsbook.com currently have the Minnesota Vikings 18/1 to win the 2009 Superbowl.

They signed defensive end Jared Allen to a six-year, $73 million contract.  He led the NFL with 15.5 sacks last season and also had three forced fumbles in 14 games.  Allen was the team's draft.  The Vikings gave up a first round pick and two more in the third round to get him.  Allen will also be playing with tackles Kevin and Pat Williams.  Last year they made it extremely difficult for teams to run against them.  Kevin is a top tackle in the league and Pat is a key reason the run defense has been excellent.  The NFC North Betting Odds at Sportsbook.com currently have the Minnesota Vikings 7/5 to win the NFC North division.

Travaris Jackson will enter this season as the starting quarterback.  All the attention is on Jackson in his third season.  He started 12 games last season and missed 3 because of an injury and was benched after a 34-0 loss in November at Green Bay.  Jackson’s struggles at quarterback have been more than well documented, and the Vikings have yet to find a really reliable backup for him.  He did go 8-4 in his starts including a big win again Superbowl champs NY Giants.  All they need from him is to be a consistent performer, he doesn't need to be a Pro Bowl caliber QB, just consistent.  He made some poor decisions last year and threw more interceptions then touchdowns, and finished the season ranked 28th among 33 quarterbacks.  Right now, the Vikings believe that Jackson is the player for them.  This team is a consistent quarterback away from a wild-card berth.  Plus they have running back Adrian Peterson, 1,341 rushing yards last season and 12 touchdowns as a rookie.  If he stays healthy through out the year he is going to be scary good.

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