The Vikings are the favorites to win a third consecutive NFC North title and compete for the home-field advantage necessary to reach Super Bowl 45. Minnesota has moped for months over their loss to the New Orleans Saints thanks to an uncharacteristic five turnovers, but appears to have moved on.
However, the Vikings' path to Dallas is paved with potholes, beginning with an opening night showdown with the Super Bowl jerseys champion Saints on Sept. 9. Minnesota draws the short end of the straw with its schedule outside the division when it takes on the NFC and AFC East.
Minnesota football jersey has taken advantage of the bye week recently, winning five straight (4-1 ATS). This year they face the New York Jets after their week off.
Last year the Green Bay Packers narrowly missed a shot at the NFL's elite eight in a 51-45 overtime loss to Arizona. They made huge strides across the board, improving from six wins to 11, despite an offensive line that was ravaged with injuries.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,434 yards and 30 touchdowns with just seven interceptions last year. To become great, he must lower the number of sacks he took in 2009 (50). The return of Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher and the addition of first-round pick Bryan Bulaga provide stability on the offensive line and makes Rodgers job a lot easier.
Quarterback Jay Cutler seems an ideal fit for Martz's system with his size, big arm and willingness to gamble downfield.
Chicago hasn't been on the plus side ATS since 2006, posting a dismal 19-27-2 mark the last three years. The Bears jerseys have been especially toothless as road dogs, coming up short in that role at a 1-8-1 clip the last two seasons. Chicago is 3-36 SU as road dogs from Game 13 out since 1985.
The Detroit Lions filled two very big needs by getting defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and running back Jahvid Best with their two first-round picks. They also surrounded Suh with strong support personnel in Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams.
At this point there is little to suggest that the Lions will take any great leaps and bounds this season. They are going to be better because their talent is improving, but they've still got a long way to go.
The key is the progress of offensive "triplets" Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith.
Detroit has been unable to compete in the division, flunking 18 of its last 21 tests SU (7-15-2 ATS). The Lions jerseys have also been Thanksgiving turkeys, losing and failing to cash in their past six holiday appearances. This year the New England Patriots get a chance to kick the stuffing out of Detroit.
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