When Aaron Rodgers landed with a thud on the US Bank Stadium turf, so did most of the Packers’ playoff chances.

At the start of the 2017 NFL season, the Packers were listed as 9-1 odds to win the Super Bowl with only the NE Patriots considered a better bet. A check of the current odds (as of Oct 23) shows they have plummeted to 60-1, with seventeen teams in front of them.

Oh the humanity…

While things certainly look grim at the moment, I’m here to tell you, there’s still a chance…

Aaron Rodgers underwent successful surgery on his collarbone last week. The Green Bay Packers’ doctors are optimistic that he could begin throwing in six weeks and potentially return as early as Game 14 on December 17th  against the Carolina Panthers.

The Packers have six games between this bye week and that game. If they can manage to win three of those games, they would sit at 7-6 entering the Carolina game. Another “run the table” performance by Rodgers would place them at 10-6 and give them a good chance of making the playoffs.

Sure this is likely a “best case” scenario, but there are some reasons for optimism.

  • Brett Hudley will have had two more weeks to study and prepare.
  • Mike McCarthy is 9-2 as a head coach in the first game after the bye week. Self-scouting works, folks.
  • The Packers will get healthy over the bye week. The starting offensive line should be intact for the first time all season and the quarterback of the defense, Morgan Burnett will be back on the field.
  • Only one of the next six teams the Packers play has a winning record (the Steelers).

So if you truly believe, throwing a few sheckles down at 60-1 odds and hoping for some more Rodgers magic likely wouldn’t be the worst longshot bet you’ve ever made.  If you live in Vegas, easy-peasy. If not, there are many places online you could do so. If you’re unsure which is the best fit for you, these reviews will help you understand a bit better.

Good luck and Go Pack!

 

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Jersey Al Bracco is the co-founder and editor of PackersTalk.com. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and you can follow him on twitter at @JerseyAlGBP.

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