NFL Betting Online: Even with superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center for all 16 games, the Green Bay Packers had some issues on offense in 2015. That wasn’t enough to keep them out of the playoffs, and with that unit expected to improve, expectations are for a return trip. Green Bay is the favorite in the NFC North heading into 2016 and listed as heavy -500 favorites to qualify for the playoffs. Their odds of missing the postseason are set at +350 in NFL gambling.
The Packers finished the 2015 season 10-6 and then defeated the Washington Redskins in the NFC Wild Card round. They advanced to play the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Divisional Round but were defeated in overtime. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a down season for his standards, throwing for 3,821 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. It wasn’t his fault, as the Packers had a poor receiving corps after Jordy Nelson went down with a torn ACL in the preseason. James Jones led the team with 50 catches for 890 yards and eight touchdowns but he left in the offseason as the team showed little interest in re-signing him. Randall Cobb had 79 catches for 829 yards and six scores and he will again be a top target, while Davante Adams hopes to improve after a down 2015. Jared Cook was signed to shore up the tight end position and should give Rodgers another outlet. Eddie Lacy led the team in rushing but he again had weight issues and went through an inconsistent year. He has had standout stretches in his career but the Packers need to see Lacy become more consistent.
The defense is often overshadowed by the offense because of Rodgers, but it was the better unit in 2015, giving up 20.2 points per game, which was 12th in the NFL. Linebacker Clay Matthews is expected to play outside linebacker again after switching intermittently to inside, and he will team with Julius Peppers as the top pass-rushers. The Packers lost slot cornerback Casey Hayward and nose tackle B.J. Raji in the offseason, but defensive tackle Kenny Clark was added in the first round and may be able to contribute immediately. Damarious Randall had a promising rookie season and it would not be a surprise to see him become a standout performer in his second NFL year. The Packers’ defense doesn’t have to be great since the offense is likely to be much better, but if it can duplicate last year’s performance the team will be in good shape.
Any team that has Aaron Rodgers at quarterback will be in playoff contention, as Green Bay proved last year despite myriad problems around him. Nelson’s return is a big one, and the Cook signing could also pay dividends. The Packers have been a perennial playoff participant for years and that isn’t expected to change in 2016 as they are a team with one of the most favorable odds at making it to the postseason this season in NFL gambling.
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