Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings Now that the wait for Brett Favre is over and he has decided not to return for his 19th season, the Minnesota Vikings can finally get down to the business of trying to win the NFC North and go deep into the playoffs with what they have.

After losing to Philadelphia in the Divisional Round of the 2008 playoffs, the Vikings are hoping that they can get over the hump in 2009.

NFL odds makers have made the Vikings 12/1 shots to win Super Bowl XLIV. They have also given Minnesota 6/1 odds to win the NFC and 8/5 odds to win the NFC North Division.

Even without Favre, the Vikings feel fairly confident in the quarterback position. In the off-season, they made a move to get former Houston Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels and some within the organization still feel as though Tarvaris Jackson can develop into a quality NFL starter.

Other than trading
for Rosenfels, the Vikings were relatively quiet in this year's free agent market. Instead, they moved their focus to the draft.

In April's draft, they selected one of the most athletic prospects in the 2009 class. With the 22nd overall pick, they were able to land Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin. The Vikings hope that Harvin can complement running back Adrian Peterson and receiver Bernard Berrian to give Minnesota one of the better offenses in the NFC.

With Rosenfels as the projected starter, expect the Vikings to be a running team. Pounding the ball down the throats of opposing defenses with Adrian Peterson. Rosenfels does have a big arm and should also be able to stretch defenses with Harvin and Berrian.

Even with the short odds, the Vikings are a very good pick to win the NFC North. As for their Super Bowl chances, I think it would be safer to go with a team with more stability at the quarterback position.