Last season the Minnesota Vikings were a coin toss away from appearing in their first super bowl since 1976. However fate was not on the Vikings side, and the Saints were able to march right down the field to kick the game winning field goal to end the Minnesota Vikings season.

The 2010 season could prove to be redemption for the Vikings, or maybe Favre’s window for his last Super bowl has finally closed. Writers John Anthony & Tom Johnson give 5 separate **BOLD **predictions for the 2010 Minnesota Vikings season.

Don’t expect another great statistical performance out of Brett Favre

Brett Favre will revert back to the New York Jet days as a quarterback and puts up a mediocre statline of 3600 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. The opponents the Vikings have this year are tough as he faces the AFC East and NFC East in addition to other strong opponents such as the Packers (twice) and Saints.

The Iron Man streak will come to an end

Brett Favre’s consecutive games streak will come to an end this season. The Vikings face a good number of quality pass rushing defenses including Miami, Philadelphia, Arizona, Dallas, Washington, Green Bay (twice), Chicago (twice), and New Orleans. All of those teams finished in the top 14 for sacks in 2009. Ten games against good pass rushing defenses spell nightmare for Brett Favre and his 40 year old (soon to be 41) body.

The Vikings season really hinges on Brett Favre

The Minnesota Vikings will fail to win their division and if Favre is to miss more than one game, they will fail to reach the playoffs. The schedule simply isn’t kind to the Vikings this year and they will be without Sidney Rice. If Percy Harvin is to miss time, this offense is in trouble. Adrian Peterson will have to stop coughing up the pigskin. The NFC is top heavy in terms of talent as there are plenty of horrible teams in that conference.

The Vikings defense will be very average

As I mentioned, the offense won’t be as good as last year, but neither will the defense. The Vikings have dates with several of the top offenses in the NFL, which include the Saints, Cowboys, Patriots, Packers (twice), Eagles, and Giants. The Dolphins and Jets were middle of the road offensively last year, but figure to improve since both teams made significant upgrades offensively. The Redskins were one of the worst a year ago, but adding Donovan McNabb alone will make that offense in the top half in the NFL.

Plan on Brett Favre finally retiring!

Brett Favre will retire after this season even though many of you probably aren’t sold on this idea since it’s been said by the horse himself numerous times, only to keep returning. The beating he will take on the field and through the media (when the team isn’t doing so well) will lead to him hanging the cleats up. This could be a tough season for Favre fans and Vikings fans. It really won’t shock me at all if he ends another season throwing an INT and this time missing the playoffs.

-Tom Johnson (Senior TSJ Writer) 

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Brett Favre will have only slightly worse stats than last season

While Favre is without Rice for about half the season, I still think the team he has around him is stronger and more polished than what he ever saw in Green Bay and New York. I expect him to have a year of 3,800 yards, 30 TD, 15 INT. Not the greatest season ever, but certainly not bad for a grandfather.

Adrian Peterson will not rush 300 times this year

Maybe not such a bold prediction, but I expect Childress to tire quickly of Adrian Peterson’s fumblitis this year and give Gerhart a chance to get his feet wet in the NFL. With 15 fumbles (nine lost) in two seasons, Peterson really needs to step it up and I just don’t see that happening. Something about his demeanor screams immaturity (football IQ wise) to me.

Favre will start all 16 games

I keep hearing people talk about his ankle and his health and his age, but I can’t figure out why. We’ve seen worse injuries from Brett. If his ankle was that bad, he wouldn’t have mulled returning. Favre at 75% is still better than Tavaris or Sage at 100%. He’ll start every game. Book it.

The Minnesota Vikings will go 11-5

The Vikings will win 11 games this year. That’s not the entire bold prediction: They will win the division with that record. No reason needed for this, I just feel the Vikings will finish 11-5 while the Packers will finish 10-6.

The Minnesota Vikings will win the Super Bowl

Again, nothing to explain here. The Gunslinger redeems himself for previous playoff blunders and shows why, even at 41, he’s still one of themost dangerous threats at the QB position. Minnesota, for what its worth, made a lot of mistakes in the NFC Championship Game that you don’t typically see. They stood toe to toe with the eventual Super Bowl Champions and could have just as easily been there themselves.

Number Four closes out a career bringing Minnesota their first ever Super Bowl Title and walks away from the game a champion.

-John Anthony (Senior Gambling analyst)

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