LAST YEAR’S SUPERBOWL winners the New Orleans Saints open the 2010 NFL season tonight, facing the Minnesota Vikings.

The Saints are at a similar strength to their Superbowl-winning team, losing only linebacker Scott Fujita in the close-season.

However, the Vikings are a team renewed. At their pivot is one of the sport’s true greats- Brett Favre. Favre was involved in a long-running transfer saga, having come out of retirement to sign for the Vikings.

Star receiver Sydney Rice is out through injury though, and another star, running back Adrian Peterson is on an awful run of form. Much of their performance, whether they like to admit it or not, rests on the form of Favre.

Reggie Bush is the major point of interest in the Saints team. Bush has been one of the more vocal players when speaking about the pay cuts to NFL players, and then there’s the Heisman trophy scandal. The Heisman, given to the most outstanding collegiate player, was awarded to Bush in 2005.

But weeks ago the NCAA said that they will strip Bush of his trophy after it was discovered that Bush and his family received illegal benefits during his period in college.

Regardless of off-the-field controversies, Bush remains a formidable opponent on the pitch. The Saints defence doesn’t look as mean as last year, but they should still prevail tonight.

Tonight may bear little significance in the race for Superbowl XLV, but the Saints need to lay down a marker early on if they are to stand a chance of retaining their trophy.

Tips for the Superbowl include the Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts. The overwhelming favourites, though, are the Baltimore Ravens.