#9 The Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre is their quarterback. They had one of the top defenses, and the "Williams Wall" will be playing in their opener. Adrian Peterson is widely regarded as the best running back in the NFL, but he was taxed pretty heavily last year.

1	Sep 13	MIN @ CLE	Cleveland Browns Stadium	1:00 PM	FOX
2	Sep 20	MIN @ DET	Ford Field	1:00 PM	FOX
3	Sep 27	SF @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
4	Oct 05	GB @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	8:30 PM	ESPN
5	Oct 11	MIN @ STL	Edward Jones Dome	1:00 PM	FOX
6	Oct 18	BAL @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	CBS
7	Oct 25	MIN @ PIT	Heinz Field	1:00 PM	FOX
8	Nov 01	MIN @ GB	Lambeau Field	1:00 PM	FOX
9	Bye
10	Nov 15	DET @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
11	Nov 22	SEA @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
12	Nov 29	CHI @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	FOX
13	Dec 06	MIN @ ARI	University of Phoenix Stadium	4:15 PM	FOX
14	Dec 13	CIN @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1:00 PM	CBS
15	Dec 20	MIN @ CAR	Bank of America Stadium	8:20 PM	NBC
16	Dec 28	MIN @ CHI	Soldier Field	8:30 PM	ESPN
17	Jan 03	NYG @ MIN	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

I don't care if this team had Billy Dee Williams at quarterback, they should go 3-0. Actually, with the Vikes, it might be easier to find out what games they'll lose/contend in.

Green Bay, Rams, Ravens, Steelers, Green Bay is going to be a hell of a stretch for the Vikes. Perhaps the Rams game could be one of those trap games. Later, they close with the Cards, Bengals, Panthers, Bears and Giants. Those two separate stretches could keep Minnesota from getting a lengthy home field advantage, but don't expect this team to fall short of the playoffs. A 10 - 6 campaign is reasonable, maybe 11 - 5. However, with Favre openly admitting he may not be able to handle a 16 game season, how will the extra games in the playoffs treat Favre?

- Dave