The Minnesota Vikings may still be a contender in Super Bowl football betting odds as the rumors surrounding quarterback Brett Favre’s retirement were overblown.Favre said on Wednesday that he will play this season if he is healthy. That is a big question mark in NFL football betting though since Favre is coming off ankle surgery.Football betting odds on the Vikings have gone up and down with the rumors regarding Favre’s retirement. Minnesota is a leading contender at 8-1 in Super Bowl odds with Favre but they are 10-1 or more without him. Favre has an appointment coming up with Dr. James Andrews who performed the surgery. Favre has yet to announce whether he is coming back for the 2010 season and just like past seasons, the speculation has been rampant. On Tuesday reports came out that Favre was going to retire but on Wednesday those reports were dismissed by Favre. He has said that his decision will be based on his health and not anything else.
Favre has told the Vikings when he intends to announce his decision but that date has not been made public. It obviously will not be until after he has seen Dr. Andrews. The Vikings have reportedly offered Favre more money to return this season. He was scheduled to make $13 million and the Vikings have put up another $3 million plus another $4 million in incentives so Farve could be making $20 million this season for the Vikings.
The impact that Favre has on the NFL football betting odds cannot be overstated. He is coming off one of his best seasons ever as he led Minnesota to the NFC Championship game. Favre is an 11-time Pro Bowler who has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in 18 straight seasons. He has 12 straight years of throwing 20 or more TD passes. Last season he threw for 4,202 yards and 33 TDs with only seven interceptions although the interception he threw in the NFC title game cost the Vikings a shot at the Super Bowl.
A popular computer simulation rated the chances of Minnesota reaching the playoffs at over 90% with Favre at quarterback but only 53% without him so it is easy to understand how much of a difference he makes.