The 2024 NFL season has officially begun. It’s set to be a huge one, with reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City defeating Baltimore in the most-watched NFL kickoff game ever. Week 1 also saw the Green Bay Packers lose 34-29 against the Philadelphia Eagles in a tight matchup all the way over in Brazil, where thousands of Brazilian fans jumped at the rare opportunity to watch an NFL game outside of the USA. It was ultimately a tough night for the Packers, capped off at the end when quarterback Jordan Love had to be assisted off the field after suffering a knee injury in the final seconds. The Packers have bounced back in Week 2, though, defeating the Colts 16-10. In the aftermath, this has left many fans wondering if the Packers can truly make the playoffs this year or if it will be another rollercoaster season of ups and downs.

Green Bay Packers Are Currently +180 to Make the Playoffs

Most sports betting apps reviewed on bettingtools.com have the Green Bay Packers listed at +180 odds (yes) to make the postseason. Before the season started, the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel thought the Packers had a great shot at landing a playoff spot. However, the knee injury sustained by quarterback Jordan Love in Week 1 has led to a major shift in the odds.

For example, BetMGM have changed their odds from -185 to +170 following the Week 1 action, with the new implied probability being 37.04%. Love is expected to be out for “several weeks”, so this is a huge blow for the Packers and is reflected in the updated betting odds. Fans will also be concerned about Love’s road to recovery, as NFL injuries can sometimes take longer than expected to bounce back from.

Even if Love misses the next three (or potentially more) games, the new Packers playoff betting odds are still an absolute steal. As long as backup quarterback Malik Willis can do a good short-term job, there’s no reason why the Packers still can’t make the playoffs this season. And Willis has already proven he’s more than capable of stepping in for Love, as the 25-year-old QB featured in the Week 2 matchup against the Colts and did a great job. He was 5-of-6 for 80 yards and a touchdown while even achieving a 158.3 passer rating, making it a near-perfect performance. Up next are the Titans and Vikings, though, so Willis will have to prove that he’s not just a one-game wonder.

If you were to bet $10 on the Packers to make the playoffs at +170, the payout would be $27. Again, these odds are surprisingly good, especially considering the fact the Packers went 6-2 in their final eight games during the 2023 NFL season. Not to mention, the Packers also had a solid 2024 NFL draft, picking up 11 players in the process. One of them was first-round pick Jordan Morgan, who is extremely versatile and an excellent pass protector.

Packers vs Eagles: Week 1 (Review)

Packers fans were extremely excited heading into the Week 1 clash with the Eagles. It took place in São Paulo, Brazil, which was a first for the franchise and provided Brazilian fans with a chance to see some NFL action in real-life. Unsurprisingly, they showed up in the thousands, achieving an attendance of  47,236.

The game itself was everything you would traditionally expect from an NFL Week 1 game: lots of sloppiness but with a few exciting moments thrown in, too. Ultimately, both teams struggled in the new climate and it ended with the Eagles coming out on top 34-29. However, it wasn’t all bad news for Packers supporters.

Despite a tough game and Jordan Love being helped off the field with a knee injury, there were some positives. Zach Tom didn’t allow one sack, hit, or pressure on 43 pass-blocking snaps, which is a strong indicator that the RT is going to have an excellent season. Elgton Jenkins also looked great, putting in a excellent performance. And of course, it’s important to recognize that Jordan Love’s injury could have been much worse. The fact that he’s only going to miss a few games at most is a major plus point.

It’s important to never take any Week 1 game too seriously, especially as a Packers fan. Even though Week 1 wasn’t great, there’s no doubt that the Packers still have a top-5 offense and are more than capable of winning the NFC North division this season, having not done this since 2021. Following Week 1, though, the Lions and Bears still remain favorites ahead of them.

Packers vs Colts: Week 2 (Review)

Heading into their Week 2 game against the Colts, many Packers supporters were feeling deflated. Week 1 had seen them lose an underwhelming game against the Eagles and Packers-favorite Jordan Love sustained a injury, so there wasn’t much to be optimistic about. However, the Packers have quickly bounced back in Week 2, silencing the critics by comfortably beating the Colts 16-10. The key takeaway from the game is that the Packers can survive without Love, despite many people in the NFL world believing otherwise. Malik Willis and Josh Jacobs were especially good, with both players making huge statements. Now, it’s a case of whether the Packers can carry this momentum forward over the upcoming games before Love eventually makes his comeback.

Summary

Will the Packers make the NFL 2024 playoffs? It’s very possible. Following the Week 1 action, it came as a shock to everyone when the Packers betting odds were drastically increased, opening up an exciting opportunity for fans who are confident that the Packers will still make it. However, Week 2 has seen the Packers get back on track after a convincing win over the Colts. Heading into Week 3, the Packers are now 5th in yards per game (398.5), 1st in rushing yards per game (212.0), and 1st in defensive INTs (5), so all signs point to them carrying the momentum forward.

What is clear is that Matt LaFleur will have to deliver some excellent game plans over the coming weeks and try to cause some big upsets along the way. If the Packers can continue to navigate the NFC South without QB Love over short-term, they will avoid having to play catch-up in the standings later on in the season. But if they struggle from Week 3 onwards and start picking up losses, the best hope for Packers fans will be to land a wild-card spot.