NFL Teams Betting - Minnesota Vikings - NFC North

After tying for the worst record in franchise history, the Vikings went into full rebuilding mode with the unabashed philosophy of getting younger. They are making no secret of their intent to build through the draft and to re-sign their own as they build around 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder. Last year, perhaps no team was as adversely affected by the lockout as the Vikings, who were preparing a new offense with a new quarterback (first, veteran flop Donovan McNabb, and then Ponder, after the season was already lost). This year, Ponder has valuable starting experience under his belt, more explosive weapons in the receiving game and a full offseason to hone in on the details of Bill Musgraves offense and familiarize himself with his new receiving options.

Immersed in one of the darkest times in franchise history, the Vikings are looking for even the slightest optimism to energize the fan base. This reclamation project could take awhile. Save a few moving parts, this is still the same team that has one divisional win since 2010. But the Vikings have done enough through free agency and the draft to improve from last season’s 3–13 collapse. After more than a dozen free agent signings and 10 draft picks, depth should bolster positions of need such as cornerback, wide receiver and offensive line.

It’s not every player’s fault the Vikings fell apart last season. Some of the game’s brightest wear purple on Sundays. But let’s be honest: The Vikings entered the offseason with far more questions than answers.

That’s just fine with the three monsters in the NFC North that have made a recent habit of devouring the Vikings.