Green Bay Packers Betting – The Pack Have The Tools To Go Back-To-Back
Green Bay’s online betting odds for the upcoming season have them as the team to beat for the Super Bowl, and they’re going to have their hands full against the likes of Chicago, most of the NFC East, New Orleans, Atlanta, and then there is the AFC as well. The Packers will have a target on their backs all season, and while they probably won’t repeat, Green Bay is going to be right there at the end of the season.
- Head Coach:Mike McCarthy
- Offensive Coordinator:Joe Philbin
- Defensive Coordinator:Dom Capers
- Owner:Mark Murphy
- Stadium:Lambeau Field
- Capacity: 73,128
- Super Bowl Wins: 4
Offense
Aaron Rodgers moved into the upper echelon on the NFL by leading the Packers to the Super Bowl, and he has all of the tools you need in an elite pivot; he makes good decisions with the ball, uses all of the weapons at his disposal, can move around outside the pocket if he has to (although the Packers would like to protect him due to last season’s concussion), and he can make all the necessary throws. Now, he has to prove that he can do with a target on his back, but Rodgers should have most of his weapons back, including Greg Jennings, who was Rodgers’ favorite target down the stretch. James Jones is a free agent and should be back, but even if he isn’t, the Packers still have wily veteran Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson, and don’t forget, tight end Jermichael Finley was hurt for most of last season. The running game will be in better shape with Ryan Grant back in the fold, and the makers Rodgers and company even more dangerous. The x-factor? Rookie Randall Cobb, who can be a multipurpose threat
The offensive line could use work, but they’ll be hoping that first-round pick Derek Sherrod can be a factor somewhere. Up front is the only place offensively that the Packers can be handled, although they did manage to come together and play well during the run to the Super Bowl. If this line improves, the Packers could have the most dangerous offense in the league.
Grade: A-
Defense
While the offense got most of the attention early in the year, the defense was one of the best in the NFL all season long, finishing fifth in the regular season, while linebacker Clay Matthews was second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting to Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu, although many thought that Matthews should have won. The Packers were fifth against the pass and 15th against the run, they were fourth in the NFC in takeaways (and second in differential), and they were behind only Pittsburgh in terms of sacks, led by Matthews. B.J. Raji, Cullen Jenkins (a free agent) and Ryan Pickett were excellent up front, tying up linemen so Matthews, A.J. Hawk and the rest of the linebackers could swoop in and get tackles. Meanwhile, in the secondary NFL betting players watched Charles Woodson have another fantastic season and he doesn’t seem to be slowing at 34. Sam Shields emerged at the corner, while Tramon Williams gives the Packers a trio of cornerbacks that any team would be proud of. Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah man the safety positions.
The Packers are still a little shaky against the run, which is surprising when they have a monster like Raji in the middle of the defensive line, and athletic linebackers who can get to the ball. The linebackers will sometimes over-pursue the ball because they love to get the sack, so a little more patience would help Green Bay improve on that side of the ball.
Grade: B+
Special Teams
The Packers rank in the bottom half of the league in both kickoff and punt returns, with the trio of Nelson, Shields and Williams manning those duties. Look for Cobb to get some work on special teams to try and improve the Packers’ field position, which would make the offense even better. They’re also a decent team when it comes to covering kickoffs and punts, and the Packers could stand to improve that aspect of their game.
Mason Crosby (a free agent) had a typical season for him, hitting just over 78% of his field-goal attempts in the regular season, and he hit three of his four attempts in the postseason. He’s not great, but Crosby is dependable, and usually the offense will put him in good positions. Tim Masthay was seventh in net punting, and fifth in net punting, so the Packers have that part of the game down, they just have to work on covering the punts.
Grade: C
Prediction
NFL betting odds have the Packers as a -250 favorite to win the NFC North for the first time since 2007, and they’re the favorites at +600 to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The 2004-05 Patriots were the last team to go back-to-back, but it’s not impossible as the feat has been done seven times in the Super Bowl era. The Packers have to learn to play with everyone coming at them, and that will be the biggest concern for coach Mike McCarthy. However, they have a veteran team that has been through a lot, and guys like Rodgers, Woodson, Jennings, Driver and the other players that have been around Green Bay for a long time, they have the poise and experience to keep the Packers afloat.
The Packers should win the North as they’re the best team in the division, and while they’re going to have a hard time repeating as Super Bowl champions, it wouldn’t be a ridiculous wager in your sports betting book.
Prediction
Week 1 – vs. New Orleans (Thursday, 8:30 PM ET)
Week 2 – at Carolina (1:00 PM ET)
Week 3 – at Chicago (4:15 PM ET)
Week 4 – vs. Denver (4:15 PM ET)
Week 5 – at Atlanta (8:20 PM ET)
Week 6 – vs. St. Louis (1:00 PM ET)
Week 7 – at Minnesota (4:15 PM ET)
Week 9 – at San Diego (4:15 PM ET)
Week 10 – vs. Minnesota (Monday, 8:30 PM ET)
Week 11 – vs. Tampa Bay (1:00 PM ET)
Week 12 – at Detroit (Thursday, 12:30 PM ET)
Week 13 – at New York Giants (4:15 PM ET)
Week 14 – vs. Oakland (1:00 PM ET)
Week 15 – at Kansas City (1:00 PM ET)
Week 16 – vs. Chicago (Sunday, 8:20 PM ET)
Week 17 - vs. Detroit (1:00 PM ET)
