NFL Betting Odds – How Favre’s Retirement Affects the NFC North

So Brett Favre has finally decided to call it quits.  If his decision holds true, how will it affect the NFL betting odds for the NFC North in the upcoming season? All the odds favoring the Vikings were due to one player.  Now that Favre is not taking the field, NFL betting fans will have to re-evaluate the season odds.

Rumors are swirling around that Favre has told his former team of his intention to retire, although coach Brad Childress said as late as Tuesday that he has not been told yet by Favre of his decision, although they have been in communication. 

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Prior to Favre’s announcement, the Vikings were picked to win their division again as well as favored to win their Week 1 rematch against the Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints. However, now the outlook for Minnesota is quite different…and quite bleak. 

The Vikings will be without a team leader at quarterback and will have to rely on Adrian Peterson at running back. The next big question for Minnesota will be filling Favre’s shoes.  The team has Tavaris Jackson, a 2006 Draft player from Alabama State, who was to be the team’s back-up man last season and was resigned with a one-year deal worth $1.176 million for the 2010 season.

Minnesota’s other option at quarterback would be Sage Rosenfels, who joined the Vikings in early 2009.  However, Rosenfels played the role of third-string quarterback last season behind Favre and Jackson.

Regardless of which quarterback Coach Childress chooses, both are substantially weaker than Favre with little game experience.  The loss of Favre will greatly diminish the Vikings chances of winning the NFC North and practically close all possibilities of a playoff appearance. 

Favre’s decision brings a bit of irony to the NFC North, as the new favorites will soon likely be the Green Bay Packers, Favre’s old and long-time team. 
Source:  espn.com, usatoday.com, nfl.com