Pick: Vikings over 7.5 wins (-160)

The Minnesota Vikings usually don’t get much preseason hype but this summer has been an exception. Running back Adrian Peterson returns to the team after his off-field issues and Minnesota has an exciting quarterback entering his second year in Teddy Bridgewater.

The Vikings were 7-9 last season but played exceptionally strong in the last six weeks of the season. They went 3-3 in that span but lost the three games by a combined eight points. Bridgewater really impressed and didn’t have much to work with. His offensive line was a mess, there wasn’t a No. 1 wide receiver or a every-down running back. Now Peterson is back and looks better than ever in his summer workouts. Minnesota added a downfield threat in wide receiver Mike Wallace and Charles Johnson is another passing game option who emerged late last season. The Defense should improve under defensive-minded head coach Mike Zimmer.

The Vikings just need to go .500 for me to win this pick. I think the team believes they can do more than that and I expect Minnesota to compete for a playoff spot in the NFC.