Vikings Super Bowl Chances Improve
The Minnesota Vikings’ Super Bowl betting odds are looking better, if ever so slightly, following the acquisition of former Philadelphia Eagles starting QB Sam Bradford (check the latest Super Bowl odds at www.betnow.eu). The Vikings’ odds to win the Big Game went from +2400 to +2150, and their odds of winning the NFC championship game went from +1400 to +1050. Bradford is the latest casualty of the Rookie Quarterback Curse (TM). First, Nick Foles requested and was granted a release from the LA Rams after the Rams drafted quarterback Jared Goff in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft.
And now, Bradford has been traded to the Vikings for a first-round pick in the 2017 draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft. Earlier this year it was reported that Bradford wanted to be traded and would be missing the team’s training camp. He reported back to the Vikings in May and played in the preseason, throwing 31 of 39 for 282 passing yards and two TDs. Bradford completed 346 of 532 (65%) attempted passes for 3715 yards with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 14 regular season games with the Eagles in 2015, his lone year in Philadelphia.
Bradford was selected by the then St. Louis Rams as the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, and spent five seasons with that organization. After missing the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL, Bradford was traded to the Eagles in exchange for the aforementioned Nick Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick, and a 2016 second-round pick. Bradford signed a two-year, $36 million ($26 million guaranteed) contract extension with the Eagles in March 2016, but the Eagles traded with the Cleveland Browns for the number two pick in the 2016 draft, so as to draft a new QB, fueling speculation that Bradford would be traded or used as a stopgap while Chase Daniel grooms the newly drafted QB in new head coach Doug Pederson’s offensive scheme – which actually turned out to be the case.
As a result of the trade, Daniel is the new starting QB for the Eagles, while Wentz moved up to the backup spot – though he will more than likely start under center when he is healthy. Meanwhile, all signs seem to point to Bradford starting in Teddy Bridgewater’s stead, since Bridgewater tore his ACL and suffered structural damage, including a dislocation of the knee joint, following a non-contact injury to his left leg during practice on August 30th. Which may or may not be a blessing in disguise. Not for Bridgewater, of course, who will miss the 2016 season, but for the Vikings. The arrival of Bradford – who might finally realize his full potential under offensive coordinator Norv Turner – should give Minnesota a fighting chance at securing a playoff berth, even though the Green Bay Packers remain the favorite in the NFC North.
But whatever moves those Super Bowl betting odds closer to the prize is welcome. All things considered, it’s a win/win situation for all involved.
Once again, except for poor Teddy Bridgewater.
Guest blog submitted by Andrew Scott
