Aaron Rodgers’ Lack of Offensive Weapons Will Hurt the Packers
Most of the time, sportsbooks’ NFL betting odds reflect the true feeling of fans and media alike. The Buffalo Bills are widely considered the best team in the NFL this season, especially after adding Von Miller and other key pieces, and deservedly have the shortest odds to win Super Bowl LVII. But then there’s the Green Bay Packers.
Depending on the sportsbook, the Packers have the fourth or fifth shortest odds to win this year’s Super Bowl. The team opened at +1600 and is now +1000 at most sportsbooks, which is almost entirely based on the play of Aaron Rodgers and the fact casual fans probably aren’t aware of the talent on this team.
Even with an all-time great QB in Aaron Rodgers, who will turn 39 years old this season, and DeVante Adams, Green Bay finished 10th in total points and offensive yards last season. Now, they’ll be without Adams, one of the best wide receivers in the league. And they’ve hardly tried to address his absence.
Aaron Rodgers is Already Getting Frustrated
Adams has been Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target over the last few seasons and is a major reason why Rodgers led the league in touchdowns (48) in 2020. Aaron Rodgers is one of the most accurate QBs of all-time (he hasn’t thrown more than eight interceptions in a season since 2010), but it’s going to be tough for him to lead the offense up the field if his receivers can’t hang onto the ball.
“The young guys, especially young receivers, we’ve got to be way more consistent,” Aaron Rodgers said following a practice session last week. “A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to get better in that area.”
Aaron Rodgers was particularly frustrated with the Packers’ young receivers, but it’s going to be those players who help get the team’s offense over the hump – if at all possible. Allen Lazard will likely be a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers, while Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins can still be counted on to make the occasional play, but neither of those players are game-changers. In fact, Pro Football Focus lists the Packers receiver corps as the second-worst in the league.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay’s fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has dropped several balls through OTAs and practices as well as a pair in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints. Christian Watson, Green Bay’s second-round pick, could certainly be the team’s most explosive and dynamic receiver, and he’ll be counted on a lot if the Packers are to compete for a Super Bowl – let alone make the playoffs.
Offseason Additions
Green Bay really shouldn’t be a +1000 team to win the Super Bowl considering its offense, but the team does still pose a legitimate threat in the NFC. Tight end Robert Tonyan should be cleared to return to play after suffering a torn ACL last season, as could offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins.
As far as offseason additions go, Green Bay’s defense should get a boost from a pair of rookies, Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt, both of whom were instrumental in leading Georgia to the national championship last season.
Don’t sleep on Green Bay, but don’t expect them to be as good as the Super Bowl betting odds suggest.
