[CarlSpackler]

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The defense is improved, they have speedy recievers to go with Culpepper and look at their schedule:

Sep 11 Tampa Bay 1:00pm
Sep 18 @Cincinnati 1:00pm
Sep 25 New Orleans 1:00pm
Oct 2 @Atlanta 4:15pm
Week 5 BYE
Oct 16 @Chicago 1:00pm
Oct 23 Green Bay 1:00pm
Oct 30 @Carolina 1:00pm
Nov 6 Detroit 1:00pm
Nov 13 @N.Y. Giants 1:00pm
Nov 21 @Green Bay 9:00pm
Nov 27 Cleveland 1:00pm
Dec 4 @Detroit 1:00pm
Dec 11 St. Louis 1:00pm
Dec 18 Pittsburgh 1:00pm
Dec 25 @Baltimore 8:30pm
Jan 1 Chicago 1:00pm

@Atlanta looks like the only game they wouldn't be a favorite, and I think the Falcons are over-rated

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No offense, but this is the most ridiculous post I've seen in a while. The Vikings should be a small dog in Week 2 at Cincinnati. If they're not, yours truly will definitely be loading up on the Bengals. I'm not even going to get into the rest of the games on their schedule, but they will definitely be dogs in at least 3 other games besides the Falcons.

The big myth about the NFC North right now is that it's a weaker division than last year. If anything, it's going to be stronger. The Packers had some key losses on the interior line, and have some holdout issues, which is going to translate into a 7-9 to 9-7 season. I think they'll be a little down this year. The Lions will be improved this season. Last year, Detroit had a plethora of injuries and they were still only a few plays here and there from making the playoffs. Even if Harrington doesn't get the job done this year, Garcia should be at least serviceable, as he's familiar with the offense. Detroit has a legitimate shot at winning the division. The Bears will also be much improved this season just with Grossman being healthy. Think about it - Chicago was rolling out freakin Craig Krenzel, among others, at qb last season. I don't see Minnesota winning at Chicago, where they always struggle.

The Vikings defense looks alot better on paper, but Fred Smoot is the only guy they signed who has been healthy and in his prime. While their defense will be improved, they lost the best WR in football, and their best all around RB in Onterio the Whizzinator. The return of a healthy Bennett and Kleinsasser should offset the loss of OTW, but there's no way they can replace Moss' production. I see Culpepper having a down year this season, and wouldn't be surprised to see him have a 20 turnover season.

Finally, the biggest need they didn't upgrade was their coaching staff. There's a reason Tice is the lowest paid coach in the league. I see the Vikings as an 8-8/9-7 team. If everything falls into place, they could go 10-6, at best.