Minnesota had a decent 2020 in terms of offense, but their defense was unreliable all season long. During the off-season, the Viking front office added six players to the defense before the draft and then used three of their four top draft choices to add to the offense. With Aaron Rodgers returning to Green Bay, the Vikings have to go through the Packers to take the division. However, the new quarterback situation in Chicago, with Andy Dalton starting until Justin Fields is ready, makes the Bears an intriguing squad also.
Let’s take a look at the updated NFL betting odds for Minnesota to win the division, conference and Super Bowl and evaluate their chances at contention.
NFL News: Minnesota Vikings Season Betting Analysis
Odds to Win the NFC North: +250
Odds to Win the NFC Championship: +2000
Odds to Win Super Bowl LVI: +4000
Can the Vikings contend in the NFC North?
Klint Kubiak is the team’s new offensive coordinator, promoted upon the retirement of his father, Gary. He will use the same system, and the Vikings did rank 11th in scoring in 2020. Dalvin Cook is one of the most explosive tailbacks in the NFL, and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen make the passing game dangerous.
The questions with the Vikings start on defense, though. On Christmas Day last year, Alvin Kamara torched the Minnesota defense by scoring six rushing touchdowns, tying Ernie Nevers’ record that had stood for 91 years. The Viking defense suffered a considerable number of injuries, to the point where undrafted rookie Blake Lynch had to start a game at linebacker. The defense ended up 29th in points permitted per game and 27th in yards permitted. For the Vikings to have a chance, the defense must improve — and they have the added talent, and the head coach in Mike Zimmer, to do it.
Where do the Vikings sit in the NFC?
The NFC doesn’t really have a dominant team beyond Tampa Bay, and you have to wonder how hungry they will be to repeat. The Vikings needed to improve their offensive line in order to compete, and they did it, drafting Christian Darrisaw in the first round to play left tackle. Right tackle Brian O’Neill is one of the top young tackles in the NFL. Ezra Cleveland came in the 2020 draft and slots in at left guard. Wyatt Davis, a rookie out of Ohio State, should start at right guard, and Garrett Bradbury is ready to play at center but has to compensate for being a bit undersized.
With those additions, Kirk Cousins should have a clean pocket, which he needs to succeed. He has a cannon of an arm, but if he faces pressure, he has very limited mobility, and he will force the ball into bad situations — which means turnovers. Understanding Cousins’ upside for the team meant beefing up the O-line, which the Vikings did in the offseason. In a conference without a true power, I do like the Vikings to get into the playoffs, but I don’t see them making it all the way through to a conference title.
Do the Vikings really have a shot to get to the Super Bowl?
Tampa Bay made it to Super Bowl LV without winning their division, so it’s certainly possible. However, Kirk Cousins has never managed to string together enough big wins in big contests for you to argue that the Vikings have enough of a shot to make it worth your wagering money. I could see them splitting the season series with Green Bay and snagging a wild card this season — and even winning a road game to start the playoffs, like they did a couple years ago in New Orleans. However, a Super Bowl run — and win — would be a huge surprise.
NFL Betting Odds
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