Why betting against Green Bay in 2018 is a bad idea
The Packers had one of their worst seasons in the Aaron Rodgers era in 2017, going 7-9, finishing 3rd in the NFC North, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Their worst finish since 2013 when they went 8-7-1. Because of that, the main stream sports media seems to be counting them out quite early for the 2018 season. All I’ve been hearing is “Watch out for the Vikings!” or “Watch out for the Eagles!” Not one mention of Green Bay when predicting conference winners and/or Super Bowl contenders. One question I have is why? They addressed key off-season issues that have plagued them as a team over the years. Secondary and defensive line being at the top of the list with the additions of Muhammad Wilkerson and Tramon Williams and also adding players through the NFL draft.
Green Bay as a team under Rodgers has been very successful. Since 2008, they’ve won the division five times in the last nine seasons and had made the playoffs eight straight times before Rodgers got hurt in week 6 of the 2017 season against the Vikings, effectively ending the streak and the season. They’ve recorded 10+ wins in 7 of the last 9 seasons and have made the NFC Championship in 2 of the last 4. To say with a straight face that Green Bay isn’t a contender for the Super Bowl in the NFC this season would be asinine. I’d say they’re up there with the likes of Philadelphia, Minnesota, Los Angeles, and New Orleans within the conference.
Since 2008, (2008-’17, 9 seasons), Green Bay has posted 100 wins in the NFC, the most in the conference within that span. Aaron Rodgers as starter has posted 94 of those 100 wins. 56-14 at home. I don’t understand why the media is counting out such a successful team after one bad year in about 5 years. There is absolutely no reason to.
As long as Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers under center, they always have a fighter’s chance in the NFL. His play on the field speaks for itself. With Rodgers as QB, the Packers have posted 103 wins and just 55 losses (regular and postseason combined). Good for a .652 win percentage. 8th-best in the NFL among active QBs. Without him, the Packers are a measly 5-11-1.
The moral of the story here is never count Green Bay out. Especially this early. Rodgers makes them that much better when he is on the field. There is still work to be done, sure, but to say that Green Bay hasn’t improved as a team since the end of 2017, at least on paper, would be blasphemous. Whether those improvements show themselves on the field remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure, don’t sleep on them this season, especially with a 100% healthy Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
#ParkerMoes @ParkerMoes #DHPF @DieHardPackrFan
