Up to NFL Betting Trends

posted May 9, 2008 at 14:26 in NFL Betting Trends

BetUS Sportsbook has posted its 2008 NFL online betting odds to win the next Super Bowl, and the favorites among NFC teams include the Dallas Cowboys (+800), New York Giants and Green Bay Packers (both at +1800 in the BetUS NFL futures odds). There may be another team that deserves to be mentioned alongside them in consideration for the underdog slot in the sports betting Big Game. I think an intriguing possibility is the Minnesota Vikings, and that's what is going to be examined today.

First let's look at the odds to win the Super Bowl, as they appear in BetUS Sportsbook:

BetUS NFL Futures Odds

To Win Super Bowl XLIII

MINNESOTA VIKINGS +2800
New England Patriots +325
New York Jets +10000
Buffalo Bills +8000
Miami Dolphins +10000
Baltimore Ravens +6000
Cincinnati Bengals +4500
Pittsburgh Steelers +1750
Cleveland Browns +3000
Indianapolis Colts +700
Tennessee Titans +3500
Jacksonville Jaguars +1400
Houston Texans +6500
San Diego Chargers +700
Denver Broncos +4000
Kansas City Chiefs +10000
Oakland Raiders +10000
Dallas Cowboys +800
Philadelphia Eagles +2000
New York Giants +1800
Washington Redskins +4000
Chicago Bears +4500
Green Bay Packers +1800
Detroit Lions +7500
New Orleans Saints +2500
Carolina Panthers +5000
Atlanta Falcons +20000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +4000
Seattle Seahawks +2700
San Francisco 49ers +5000
Arizona Cardinals +5000
St Louis Rams +7500

The Vikings suffered from two things last year - pass defense and quarterback play. They like to think they addressed it on NFL draft day when they made the big trade to bring Jared Allen over from Kansas City, where he had some problems with DUI's but apparently found a designated driver long enough to register 15-1/2 sacks to lead the NFL last season. Simply as a result of getting more pressure on the quarterback, the secondary has to be helped by Allen's presence. And speaking of the secondary, Tyrell Johnson of Arkansas State, a great athlete, was added to join Darren Sharper & Co. back there.

The Vikings would like to think John David Booty could be ready at some point to at least launch a challenge to incumbent QB Tarvaris Jackson, who threw 12 interceptions to go with nine TD passes last year. Veteran Gus Frerotte will be the stopgap measure should Jackson not prove ready to keep the job in his third NFL season. Jackson has a good arm as well as the ability to keep defenses off-balance with his mobility. But he needs to demonstrate that he can stretch the opposition with his passing, and can take care of the ball. He had better show some improvement and do it pretty quickly, because with an old hand like Frerotte around, coach Brad Childress may not be hesitant to give Jackson the hook, especially if the Vikings look like they can contend.

One positive is that Jackson will not be asked to carry too heavy a load. The Vikes have perhaps the NFL's best rushing game, behind Adrian Peterson (1341 yards, 5.6 ypc), last season's rookie of the year and Pro Bowl MVP, and Chester Taylor (844 yards, 5.4 ypc), who was a 1000-yard rusher in 2006.

I like to look for superlatives when evaluating teams and their chances, especially when there doesn't seem to be a team in their division that sticks out. In the case of Minnesota, not only do they have that overwhelming running attack, behind a superior offensive line featuring the likes of Matt Birk, Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie, they also have a defensive line that has helped this team lead the league in rushing defense for each of the last two years. So th Vikings have the ability to control both sides of the line of scrimmage, and that gives them a foundation that is as solid as anyone.

This is the way I see this division - Green Bay is transitioning at the most important position (for them) with Brett Favre's retirement, and by drafting Brian Brohm in the second round the Packers are communicating that they are not altogether sold on Aaron Rodgers. Chicago has both the good and bad Rex Grossman to deal with, and the Bears are still looking for ways to make themselves dangerous at running back and wide receiver, since the defense, which took a dip last season, isn't strong enough to carry this team all the way. Detroit faces another turnover-filled season if they keep Jon Kitna at quarterback, or a big transition if Drew Stanton ends up taking the helm.

With the kind of strengths that are very basic and fundamental, to me, this is Minnesota's division to lose. When BetUS comes out with its divisional odds, the Vikings will certainly be the play for me in the NFC North. And if they get lucky at the QB position, they're a contender for a Super Bowl slot.

JAY'S PREDICTION FOR 2008:

Minnesota Vikings - 10-6, 1st, NFC North

(+2800 in the BetUS Super Bowl betting odds)

The 2008 NFL betting season is coming, and if you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of games, totals and propositions, and you will also find NFL future lines up for the Super Bowl as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!

(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)