2009 NFL Predictions Green Bay Packers NFC North Betting Odds: With the Brett Farve drama now in the rear view mirror, the Green Bay Packers can move past a disappointing 2008 season and focus on returning to the form that brought them within a whisker of the Super Bowl in 2007. The 2009 NFL Predictions experts at online sportsbook SBG Global have the Green Bay Packers +2500 odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl.
GREEN BAY PACKERS – NFC NORTH
2008 Season Record: 6-10, third in NFC North
Offense: 8
Defense: 6
Special Teams: 7
Coaching: 7
2009 NFL Predictions: 8-8
OVER 8½ WINS: -125 odds
UNDER 8½ WINS: -105 odds
Pros: It seems logical to blame Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense for the poor record in 2008, but in reality it was the defense that didn’t live up to expectations. The Packers ranked fifth in the NFL in scoring offense (after ranking fourth in 2007), but fell from sixth in 2007 to 22nd in point allowed in 2008. Rodgers actually had an outstanding initial campaign as an NFL starter as he completed 63.6 percent of his passes for more than 4,000 yards while throwing more than twice as many touchdowns (28) as interceptions (something Brent Favre last did in 2001).
Cons: The decline of the defense in 2008 was quite a surprise. They allowed 20 or more points 10 times, including in each of the final five games of the season.
Surprise Stat: The Packers tied for third in the NFL with 22 interceptions, but let the league with six interception returns.
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Outlook: The offense is balanced and solid with running back Ryan Grant (1,203 yards rushing) serving as an excellent complement to a passing game that boasts two of the top receivers in the league in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The Packers are looking to move to the 3-4 defense in 20009 and the selection of defensive lineman B.J. Raji and linebacker Clay Matthews in the first round of the draft should help with that transition. If the defense can return to the form displayed in 2007, the Packers should again be contenders for a playoff berth.
Draft Overview: The Packers made the most of having two picks in the first round as they filled two important defensive needs with impact players. Former Boston College standout Raji should step into the rotation immediately on the defensive front. After being a part of one of college football’s best linebacker units, Matthews joins A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Brady Poppinga, Jeremy Thompson and Brandon Chillar to form a strong linebacker corps that could thrive in the 3-4 defense. The Packers also improved the offensive line by selecting T.J. Lang in the fourth round and Jamon Meredith in the fifth.
Overall Outlook: The top three teams in the NFC North all made significant improvements in the off-season. The advantage for the Packers could be that they are the only one of the three teams who will be starting the same quarterback as a year ago. If the switch to a 3-4 defense rejuvenates the Packers defense, then Green Bay should be back in the playoff mix.
Key to Success: Defensive end Aaron Kampman registered 9.5 sacks a year ago while no other defender had more than three. Part of the defensive success in 2007 was a result of balance and depth on the defensive front. If the rest of the defensive gront line can take pressure off of Kampman, then watch for him to return to his form of 2007-2008 when he averaged 13.5 sacks and was selected to consecutive Pro Bowls.
Intangibles: The tone for the 2008 season was set in the off season as the focus was off the field and on the public divorce between Brett Favre and the Packers. Now that the soap opera has moved to their division rival the Vikings, look for the entire Packers team to enter 2009 with a renewed determination to succeed.
SBG Global has posted their 2009 NFL Predictions odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl:Arizona CARDINALS: +2900
Atlanta FALCONS: +2000
Baltimore RAVENS: +2500
Buffalo BILLS: +8500
Carolina PANTHERS: +3950
Chicago BEARS: +2000
Cincinnati BENGALS: +8500
Cleveland BROWNS: +7500
Dallas COWBOYS: +1400
Denver BRONCOS: +6000
Detroit LIONS: +15000
Green Bay PACKERS: +2500
Houston TEXANS: +2000
Indianapolis COLTS: +1000
Jacksonville JAGUARS: +4500
Kansas City CHIEFS: +7500
Miami DOLPHINS: +3000
Minnesota VIKINGS: +800
New England PATRIOTS: +300
New Orleans SAINTS: +1700
New York GIANTS: +850
New York JETS: +3500
Oakland RAIDERS: +5500
Philadelphia EAGLES: +650
Pittsburgh STEELERS: +700
San Diego CHARGERS: +500
San Francisco 49ERS: +6500
Seattle SEAHAWKS: +3000
St. Louis RAMS: +8500
Tampa Bay BUCCANEERS: +10000
Tennessee TITANS: +2000
Washington REDSKINS: +4850
