Last year, with quarterback Daunte Culpepper taking over for the Vikings, Las Vegas didn't think the team would exceed seven wins. This year, without Robert Smith, Vegas has a little more faith in the purple, setting their over/under for wins at nine.

Last year, Las Vegas jumped off the Vikings like a bad habit, setting their over/under for wins in 2000 at just seven -- a mark the Vikings hit by midseason. This year, is a little different, but the oddsmakers aren't on the Vikings bandwagon yet.

Currently, the favorites in the NFC continue to be Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Close behind is New York, New Orleans and Washington. Don't see the Vikings there? Neither does Vegas, but they are picking the Vikings to win nine games this season.

If the oddsmakers are correct -- something far from simple, since one VU staffer parlayed a $50 bet on the Ravens into $2,000 when they won the Super Bowl -- the Vikings won't make the playoffs. However, considering the recent track record of preseason favorites, don't bet against the Vikings. They've proved Vegas wrong so many times before, the city may consider stopping gambling on Minnesota games.