2010 NFL Kickoff, Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints: Saints Still Super

On Thursday night, the Saints get the 2010 NFL season started by hosting the first game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings.

BetMania has posted the sports betting odds on this game and the Saints are 4.5 point favorites with the over/under posted at 49. Sign up at BetMania and contact customer service with the NFL promo code REGAW and get a $50 free bet on this game with no deposit needed!

The Saints and the Vikings face off for the first time since the NFC Championship Game. The Vikings are eager to get revenge for that loss but they will have to watch the Saints raise a Super Bowl banner to the rafters before they get that chance.

New Orleans Saints

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints hits Bernard Berrian #87 of the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 31-28. (Ph

The Saints are off the best year that the franchise has ever had and they will be hard pressed to repeat as Champions, but they return virtually every player from that same team. The heartbeat of the team, quarterback Drew Brees returns to lead one of the most dangerous offenses in the National Football League. Pierre Thomas returns in the backfield to get the tough yardage on the ground and will be complemented by Reggie Bush as a receiving threat. Brees will get his entire receiving corps back and this offense is poised to scare defensive coordinators throughout the league.

The defense is a ball hawking, turnover making, touchdown scoring machine that knows how to make the best out of the talent they have. They may not be able to reproduce the great season they had a year ago, but they will still be good enough to take on some of the best offenses in the league.

Minnesota Vikings

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett

The Vikings are ready to make another run at the Super Bowl, and after the recurring summer soap opera was over, Brett Favre was a Viking again. The Vikings hope that he is the missing ingredient to a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. Adrian Peterson returns in the backfield and is arguably one of the best running backs in the NFL. Rookie Toby Gerhart joins him and gives the Vikings a bruising force that can get the small yards when needed.

But the strength of this Vikings team is the defense.

The defense is one of the best in the NFL and is a bruising bunch that punishes opposing quarterbacks. The Vikings have a fearsome pass rush and get back some players from injury that will keep this unit on top of the defensive rankings all year long.

Game Trends

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 28: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason NFL game at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on August 28, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by

When it comes to trends, these teams have some that will play a role in this game, but tread lightly.

The Saints are 37-58 against the spread (ATS) but those numbers go back to a time before Drew Brees and Head Coach Sean Payton. The Vikings are 6-2 ATS in the last eight season openers, but not all of those games were on the road.

Minnesota has covered their last five in a row against the Saints and four in a row in the Crescent City.

Vikings at Saints Gameday Selection

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints warms up during pregame before playing the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The emotion of the city and the team will be running high for this game. The Saints are ready to make another run for the title and they catch the Vikings at the perfect time.

Favre is still getting into playing shape and he is hurting at the wide receiver spot. Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will develop the perfect plan against this team, focusing on shutting down AP, and maximizing the mistakes of Favre.

The Saints are 5-0 ATS in September games and 4-1 ATS in the last five season openers. Minnesota is 12-21-1 ATS as non-division road underdogs, while the Saints are 16-6-1 ATS versus non-division teams.

The Saints win and cover the small number in the first game of the 2010 NFL season.

Final: New Orleans 23 Vikings 10

NFL Is Finally Here

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: A detail of the Vince Lombardi Trophy as the New Orleans Saints celebrate after defeating the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jonatha

It's going to be a great football season so get buckled in and ready to enjoy the ride!

Check out Bookie Blitz.com for great articles, sports picks, and sports previews.

Join Bet Mania.com and join one of the top 10 sportsbooks today. Here is a review of BetMania.com and when you sign up and contact customer service with the NFL promo code: REGAW, your account will be credited a free $50 bet for this game.

Other NFL Game Previews:

Dallas at Washington

Miami at Buffalo

Indianapolis at Houston

Bengals at Patriots

Packers at Eagles

Monday Night: Chargers at Chiefs

Five upsets for NFL Week One

Ten Really Bold Predictions For NFL Week One