Vikings Now Favored in NFC North Divisional Odds with Rodgers and Adams Unhappy
- The Minnesota Vikings are now favored to win the NFC North division over the Green Bay Packers
- With rumors swirling about Aaron Rodgers’ future with Green Bay, the Packers are slight underdogs
- Are the Vikings the best bet to win their first division crown since 2017?
The Green Bay Packers off-season has not been short on drama, with rumors continuing to swirl that 2020 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will retire. They also have another reason to be concerned, with contract talks with star wide receiver Davante Adams breaking down. Back in February, the Pack were -250 favorites to win their eighth division title in their last eleven attempts, but aren’t quite the lock anymore.
The NFL divisional odds have continued to creep closer to Minnesota being considered the favorite, and now they’ve overtaken Green Bay. As of July 5th, Rodgers and co. were still -121 favorites to win the North. The last time the Vikings were favored to win the division came way back in week one of last season, but they dropped their opener against the Packers and been underdogs since.
What has caused the Packers to lose their grip on the division in the eyes of oddsmakers and are they worthy of a wager now that they have longer odds than their hated division rivals?
Odds To Win NFC North
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Minnesota Vikings | +125 |
Green Bay Packers | +175 |
Chicago Bears | +330 |
Detroit Lions | +1800 |
Odds as of July 24 at DraftKings
Trouble in Green Bay?
If Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams were both happy, Green Bay would strongly be considered the favorite to win the NFC North yet again – but that’s a big if, as Rodgers has clashed with management about personnel decisions and Adams unhappy that his contract talks haven’t gone according to plan.
It’s not just Aaron Rodgers: The #Packers and star WR Davante Adams have broken off long-term extension talks. There are no current plans to resume them. The two sides have been negotiating for months, but they are now in a bad place, sources say. First the QB, now the No. 1 WR.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2021
Even though they finished with a very disappointing 7-and-9 record, Minny is now believed to make the postseason as they’ve alternated making and missing the playoffs since 2015. They’ve gone from +400 to wrestle the title away to now being +125 favorite led by quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Multiple sportsbooks believe Aaron Rodgers will retire next week, per @ProFootballTalk pic.twitter.com/iCvOwN6vTU
— PFF (@PFF) July 24, 2021
Should Rodgers decide to hang them up, and 2020 first round pick QB Jordan Love isn’t ready to seamlessly transition into the starters role (he was the third QB on the depth chart last year), the Pack could be in serious trouble. That is particularly true if Adams isn’t putting up the gaudy numbers he’s accustomed to in a contract year.
Last Five NFC North Division Winners
Year | Winner |
---|---|
2020 | Green Bay Packers |
2019 | Green Bay Packers |
2018 | Chicago Bears |
2017 | Minnesota Vikings |
2016 | Green Bay Packers |
Rodgers And Adams Social Media Posts Creating A Stir
On Friday evening, Rodgers and Adams set social media ablaze by posting the same picture of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen from “The Last Dance” documentary on their Instagram accounts. That’s an ode to MJ and Scottie playing one final season with the Chicago Bulls before leaving town, so the cryptic clue would tend to indicate they’re playing one more year.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have the same Instagram story up right now. pic.twitter.com/hDLE02V7fk
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 24, 2021
Heading into last season, Rodgers was highly motivated to prove management wrong that they made a mistake drafting his successor as opposed to a wide receiver that could help them win a championship. All he did was throw a career best 48 touchdown passes (22 more than in 2019), and had his best QB rating in a decade.
Best Bet To Win NFC North
It’s still hard to envision Aaron Rodgers hanging it up after leading the Packers to the NFC Championship game in back-to-back seasons. He also will have the motivation to fend off Jordan Love and win that elusive second Super Bowl title. With him and Adams posting that picture on their respective social media accounts, it would appear they’re going to bring it back one more time.
There is still time to mend fences and never underestimate Rodgers’ ability to turn slights into motivation to prove naysayers wrong, much like how Michael Jordan did during that “The Last Dance” documentary. Getting Green Bay with longer odds than Minnesota is enticing with the extra value.
Pick: Green Bay Packers (+175)