Yes, quarterback Brett Favre is back, but asking him to repeat his incredible 2009 campaign will be a tall task. Last year, Favre threw for over 4,200 yards and 33 touchdowns, while being revived by playing half his games indoors at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. However, this year he comes into the NFL Betting season with a nagging ankle injury that has already required pain injections to keep him on the field. How will that hold up with the attacking New Orleans defense coming after him?

If Minnesota is going to have any chance in the Thursday night NFL Betting, they’ll have to rely more than ever on star running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson is a workhorse in every sense of the word, and had 18 touchdowns last year to go along with 1,383 yards rushing. Remember though, he is also one of the league’s most erratic backs, as he lost six fumbles last season. If he doesn’t do a better job of holding onto the ball, not only will Minnesota not win Thursday, they’ll struggle all season.

As for their opponents in the NFL Betting, we all know the story of the New Orleans Saints, who won their organization’s first Super Bowl last year.

To do the same this year, they’ll need another super-human effort from their MVP caliber quarterback Drew Brees. Simply put, Brees was a beast in 2009, tossing for 4,388 yards, leading the NFL’s fourth ranked passing attack (272 yards game). As always, he’ll have a bounty of receivers to throw to, including Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and tight end Jeremy Shockey, all of which had at least 45 grabs last year.

When discussing Minnesota, it’s easy to focus Favre’s injury, and with good reason. The quarterback is now 40-years-old. Also, he won’t have his go-to guy from last year, Sidney Rice, in the lineup who is out with an injury.

But at the same time, this team was a mere seconds away from the Super Bowl last year. Don’t you think they’ve been working all off-season with that chip on their shoulder?

At the same time, as good as New Orleans offense was last year, it’s a dirty little secret that their defense was below average. They ranked just 26th in pass defense (235 yards/game) and 21st in run defense (122 yards/game).

Even without a few injured players, the Vikings will still put up a lot of points, but will it be enough to cover the spread?

Minnesota Vikings (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) at New Orleans Saints (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)     
Thursday, September 9- 8:30 p.m. NBC, Live from Superdome, New Orleans, LA

NFL Betting Odds: Click Here to Bet on this Game

Minnesota: +5
New Orleans: -5
Total Points: 48

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