Vernon Croys 2009 Minnesota Vikings Preview

The last year for the Vikings was a successful one in terms of making the playoffs and having a good record. They finished 10-6 and made the playoffs. However, once they got there, it was apparent that they weren't equipped to make a run as they lost to the Eagles in the first round. Although they had a solid defense and a great rushing attack, their passing game left something to be desired. Did they do enough in the offseason to get the job done this time around? As far as free football picks go, expect the Vikings to make a run this season deep into the playoffs.

The Good News: The biggest news of the offseason was obviously Brett Favre. Right up until the last minute, no one was sure if he'd play for them or not. As it turns out, he rode in on his white horse and was immediately handed the keys to the team. While it might seem irresponsible at a glance, it is really the only option for the Vikings. Jackson has proven that he's not going to be anything special and Sage Rosenfels is basically a career backup. Favre is a surefire Hall-of-Famer and he will instantly upgrade the passing attack in Minny.

In addition to Favre, they have what many people believe is the best player in the NFL in Adrian Peterson. Peterson led the league in rushing last year and his explosiveness makes him a threat to score at any point. Combined with Favre, they should have a pretty solid offense.

On the other side of the ball, the defense will be dominate again. Last year, they were the #1 team against the run and they had a fierce pass rush. With Jared Allen and the Williams brothers on the defensive line, they should again be formidable. If I'm an offensive coordinator, I know the Vikings defense is going to present some headaches.

The Bad News: This also falls in the good news column, but Brett Favre could be a big distraction for the Vikes. Last year, it was a media circus in New York and Favre failed to get them to the playoffs. Many Jets players have said that Favre was not a good teammate and even got dressed in a separate locker room. This preseason, the media have already reported that there is a "schism" in the locker room surrounding Favre. Many people believe that Jackson should be the starting quarterback and don't like the fact that Favre skipped all of camp. He then comes in late and just gets everything handed to him. This could present a problem at some point in the year.

Outlook: If you're looking for free NFL picks, expect the Vikings to win their division this year. They should even be able to work their way through the playoffs and make a run at the Super Bowl if Favre can stay healthy. If he goes down, it might be another up and down year for the Vikings.

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