The Packers are one of the region’s best-supported teams, meaning tens of thousands of fans are interested in how far they can go. After making the postseason last year, expectations are relatively high. As the season has rumbled on, people are starting to think that the Packers may go to the playoffs or even go all the way (say it quietly, though).
In this guide, we’re looking at NFL betting and some of the odds surrounding the Green Bay Packers in the current NFL season, both in terms of reaching the playoffs and even winning the Super Bowl at the end of the postseason.
What Fans Expected Pre-Season
We’re into the full season now, and things are ticking along nicely. The Packers may have expected a little more from the team, but they are still in with a shout.
Before the season got underway, people were mainly basing their predictions on what had happened last season. This included a spell where the team really struggled to adapt to life without Aaron Rodgers, and the start of 2023’s campaign was not so good.
They went 3-6 in the first half of the season (things aren’t that bad this time around), and they then went 6-2 in their last eight games, which helped them to clinch the last NFC playoff place as a wild card. They won a tiebreaker with the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks.
So, it is safe to say that most of the Packers fans expected to continue to grow and improve and make the playoffs again. Football fans are an expectant bunch.
There are always some fans who back their team no matter what when it comes to betting, but realistically, the Packers were close to having a 50/50 shot at reaching the playoffs.
Packers Markets Explained
People who are interested in betting on the Packers will find that there are a few markets where the team makes a lot of appearances.
To Make the Postseason
Most sites that allow people to bet on the NFL have odds on whether or not a team will make the postseason. This is one of the ways that people can back the Packers to do well without having to bet on them to go all the way.
Individual Games
Of course, whenever the Packers take to the field, there is a chance to bet on specific markets. The NFL is huge, watched by millions or even hundreds of millions around the world, and this means that there are plenty of markets for each game the Packers play in.
Rather than taking the macro option of betting on the outcome of the whole season, some people bet only on the individual games. This means that they can adapt as the season goes on, and when there is an injury or a big trade, they can adjust and make changes. Nobody likes backing a team to reach the postseason and then finding out their star quarterback is injured for the duration.
A lot of people have mentioned how close things are between the Packers and the Bears. This recent game was watched with close attention as Green Bay tried to narrow the gap and set themselves up for an excellent run to end the season. The closeness of these teams was reflected in the game, which resulted in a very narrow victory (or escape, if you prefer) for the Packers.
To Win the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is still some way off. Actually, it feels like an eternity away if we’re talking about the number of games and twists and turns until then.
So, do the Packers fans dare to dream?
If you look at the current odds of winning the Super Bowl, the Packers are pretty long odds. It is not what anyone would call the most likely outcome, but do they have a chance?
On a list of the favorites, the Green Bay Packers are seventh or eighth down in terms of the odds. This means that many teams are perceived as being better than them, but it also means they have an outside shot at it.
The favorites are the Kansas City Chiefs, and it would certainly not be a surprise if they managed to win the Super Bowl. The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens are also closely fancied, and more outside shots like the 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles are still seen as shorter odds bets than the Packers at the moment.
A lot of things would have to go right before we even think about it, but there is still a possibility, and fans will be hopeful. As we covered in a recent post, ESPN has had its say on what it thinks will happen and predicts an 80% chance for Green Bay to make the playoffs, a six percent chance to win their division, a two percent chance to earn a bye and a 10% chance to make the Super Bowl.
After that run of form at the end of last season, it is possible that more critics and pros will be thinking that the team could go on a run, and the NFL picks on ESPN might see more people predicting the Packers will come into some form once again. It certainly isn’t bad to end the season well and try to take some of that momentum into the postseason.
Conclusion
There are always multiple ways to look at things. Nobody has a crystal ball, and injuries could still play their part. A couple of key players are missing, and the Packers start to look very light.
That said, it seems likely that the team will make the playoffs and end up in the postseason mix, so there’s plenty to keep fans interested and invested.
