Green Bay Packers Odds - Pack should improve, but NFC North is tougher than ever
NFL betting fans in recent years have looked at the NFC North as a joke, as it never fielded more than a few competitive teams every season. Suddenly, the Packers appear ready to make sportsbook waves in 2009. But for Green Bay to return to the playoffs, the Packers’ running game and defense must catch up to its already-potent passing attack.
Green Bay Packers odds: +2500 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Aaron Rodgers doesn’t get the respect he deserves
- Was Ryan Grant a one-year wonder?
- First-round picks Raji and Matthews expected to bolster defense
Considering that the Pack were the fifth highest-scoring team in NFL betting last season despite a mediocre-at-best running game, it’s safe to say the passing attack more than got it done. For that reason, it’s bizarre just how little respect those betting online give Aaron Rodgers these days. He was sensational in his first full season as a starter, topping 4,000 yards and tossing 28 scores compared to 13 picks, yet skeptical Packers odds supporters only seemed to notice a few late-game turnovers, longing for the days of Brett Favre. The truth is that Rodgers could become a perennial Pro Bowler if he can stay healthy, though that’s no guarantee. Among Rodgers’ targets, Donald Driver is getting long in the tooth but should still be a reliable possession receiver for another season, while Greg Jennings keeps getting better and should continue to terrorize opposing secondaries with his run-after-the-catch ability.
If the Pack can get more from their zone-blocking-oriented running game this season, it could keep defenses honest and help the passing game reach elite status. Early in the season, bullish runner Ryan Grant looked nothing like the dominant force he was in the second half of 2007, averaging just 68.5 yards per game, 3.5 yards per carry and scoring once in his first eight games. However, he rediscovered himself down the stretch, averaging 81.6 yards per game, 4.2 yards per carry and finding paydirt three times. He needs to play consistently at that second-half level for the Packers’ offense to thrive. Brandon Jackson, a (very) poor man’s Brian Westbrook with his pass-catching skills, could help take some pressure off Grant entering his third pro season.
The biggest reason why the Packers odds tumbled so badly in 2008: the run defense. The Pack fell from 14th to 26th against the run in 2008 online sports betting. Trading defensive tackle Corey Williams before the season started killed the Pack and they hope their 2009 drafting of tackle B.J. Raji can fill that void. Green Bay didn’t scare opposing quarterbacks in 2008 NFL betting either losing nine sacks off their 2007 total, so it drafted another first-round pick, defensive end Clay Matthews, to help in that regard.
The road to the top of the NFC North won’t be easy, but the Packers are equipped to compete in this division. Even the slightest improvement to the running game can do wonders for the offense and general manager Ted Thompson did a great job addressing the Pack’s D-line woes at the draft. Green Bay looks like a .500 team at the very least in 2009 NFL betting.
For more NFL betting and future sports betting lines, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
