The Green Bay Packers and their fans knew that this year was going to look different than previous seasons. Without Aaron Rodgers under center, there just was no way for the team not to look different with such a massive change at the quarterback position.
However, after seven games, the Packers sit with a paltry 2-5 record, undoubtedly worse than any fans expected it to be. Even the most arduous of Jordan Love supporters must admit that the season hasn’t gone as planned and that serious improvement will need to happen.
When Green Bay split its first four games, we examined what history says about the playoff odds for 2-2 teams.
Worst Start Since Mike Sherman Coached
The Packers haven’t started this poorly through seven games since 2005, a season that started 1-6 and ended up being the end of coach Mike Sherman’s tenure in Green Bay. Brett Favre was still the starting QB, with Rodgers waiting in the wings.
Two seasons later the Packers started 6-1 en route to a 13-3 season with Favre still the starter in what would be his last season with the team before giving way to Rodgers as the full-time starter. Packers fans and folks who dabble in Wisconsin sports betting are no doubt hoping that this team also can transform itself into a playoff team in short order like those Packers did, but the lack of a proven QB might prove to be too much to overcome.
As bleak as it appears, there are positives for Packers fans to draw off of when looking back into the Rodgers era. In 2008, Rodgers’ first full season as the Packers starting QB, they ended the season with a disappointing 6-10 record. They improved greatly the following year, going 11-5.
If Love, who learned under Rodgers for the past few years, can improve at the same rate as his predecessor, the Packers could see a turnaround in the next few years.
Rams Up Next in Winnable Game
For the remainder of this season, hopes are not high in Green Bay, but Week 9 offers the team a chance to get back on track with a game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are coming off a 43-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and gave up four touchdowns and more than 300 yards passing, seemingly a perfect spot for Love to rack up some points and confidence.
Although there isn't a FanDuel Wisconsin sportsbook yet, the Packers are three-point home favorites nationally with moneyline odds of -166. While the win is the main focus for the team, Love certainly will be hoping to surpass 300 yards passing, a feat he has yet to accomplish this season. After throwing for three touchdown passes in each of his first two games, he has only found the end zone through the air five times in the past five games, another trend he will be looking to bust against this gettable Rams secondary.
With the season still in its first half, Love and the Packers have time to turn the season around and make a run for the playoffs. While Detroit stands well ahead of the pack in the NFC North, the Vikings got off to a slow start and have lost starting QB Kirk Cousins to injury and the Bears are struggling once again as well. Those factors give Green Bay a slim chance to make a move. The Packers’ playoff chances to make the playoffs are +450 and they are massive long shots of +15000 to win the Super Bowl.
