2013 Record: 5-10-1

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 6.0

2014 Season Win Total Pick: 'Under'

The shaky four-year tenure of Leslie Frazier has come to a close and the Minnesota Vikings are going back to the drawing board. New head coach Mike Zimmer was poached from Cincinnati and Zimmer will be tasked with rebuilding this franchise back to the one that dominated its division for most of the 1990's.

The Vikings offense is not devoid of talent. Adrian Peterson is an all-time great at running back. And I like Minnesota's receiving corps along with their powerful offensive line. The issues are all on the other side of the ball, where talent, depth and experience are in short supply at every level of the defense.

No one doubts the defensive bona fides of Zimmer, the former defensive coordinator for the Bengals. But his abilities will be put to the test quickly as his stop unit will be charged with slowing down Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers in four of Minnesota's first five games of the season.

Further, the Vikings also have a stretch in October in which three of their four games take place on the road. But that will be balanced by a three-game homestand in late November and early December.

Minnesota will be tasked with playing home games outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium this year as their new digs are under construction. That means weather will most decidedly be a factor for the Vikings with four of their final six games exposed to the elements.

Minnesota will have a chance to be a dangerous team in the NFC North; they won't be a walkover at all. But until Zimmer and his coordinators have a chance to mold this team to fit their systems there is really no telling how things will come together. Also, quarterback Matt Cassel is a noodle-armed loser and backup Christian Ponder is a dud. I wouldn't trust either of those guys with my money so I'll post a lukewarm 'under' for this team.

Vikings Regular Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, New England, 1 p.m.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, Atlanta, 4:25 p.m.

Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 2, at Green Bay, 8:25 p.m.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, Detroit, 1 p.m.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, Washington, 1 p.m.

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, Carolina, 1 p.m.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, NY Jets, 1 p.m.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, at Miami, 1 p.m.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, Chicago, 1 p.m.

Robert will be releasing his 2014 NFL Futures Picks on Thursday, Aug. 14. Last year's top two picks (8-Unit Play on Arizona 'over' 5.5 wins and 6-Unit Play on Kansas City over 7.0 wins) both won easily and he has hit his top NFL Futures Play (rated 7.0 or higher) in four straight seasons. For more information visit his Insider's Page HERE.

Robert Ferringo is one of the best NFL handicappers in the world and is coming off one of the best football betting seasons in the 43-year history of Doc's Sports. Robert banked nearly $8,000 in profit for his football clients and won a stunning 62.1 percent of his NFL plays (95-58). Robert has won over 70 percent of his last 58 NFL side plays (41-17) and has posted six of seven winning NFL seasons. He has banked $17,400 in football profit, college and pro, over the last 20 months and he is excited about building on his staggering resume. Take advantage of our free, no-strings-attached $60 credit to use toward a purchase of Robert's football selections. You cannot afford to miss out on this great offer - click here.

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