The 2009 Green Bay Packers were not fazed by having Brett Favre back in their division last season. Under Aaron Rodgers, who likely would have never got the starting job had Favre stayed in Green Bay, finished up the 2009 NFL season with an 11-5 record, good for second place in the NFC North and a wildcard playoff spot.
But the Packers had all they could handle – and more – in their wildcard playoff game against Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals, and ended up losing 51-45 in overtime in what was one of the most exciting NFL playoff games in years.
Things did not start well last season for the Packers, who were 4-4 AU after eight weeks, but they closed strong with a 7-1 finish to get to 11 wins on the season.
The Packers had a solid season in 2009 because of one basic accomplishment: they were strong on both sides of the ball, finishing 6th in total offense and 2nd in total defense.
In his second season as starter, Rodgers looked increasingly comfortable, and was one of top pivots in the NFL last season with 4434 yards passing, 30 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions.
Running Back Ryan Grant had a rebound season with 1253 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns and 4.4 yards per carry average. Receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings each had more than 1000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns between them.
One area that needs improvement in the 2010 NFL campaign is pass protection, as the Packers allowed 51 sacks in 2009. Guard Bryan Bulaga was drafted in the first round to aid the pass blocking and pressure up the middle.
Green Bay was 2nd in the league against the run allowing only 83.3 yards a game, a big improvement from 2008.
Bodog sportsbook has the Packers 2010 season win total at 9.5, and at 14-1 odds to win Super XLV in 2010.
Green Bay is 7-1 odds to win the NFC Championship at Bodog and are +130 favorites to win the NFC North division.
Green Bay is in the NFC North division, meaning they host and play away against the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.
The NFC North plays teams from the NFC East and AFC East division in the 2010 season, meaning Green Bay has home games against the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, and road games against the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and New England Patriots.
The Green Bay Packers’ second place finish in the NFC North in 2009 means in the 2010 season they will play against the two other second place teams from the NFC conference so that schedules a home date with the San Francisco 49ers and a road game to the Atlanta Falcons.
Green Bay has four primetime NFL games this season: Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys at home on Sunday night football, Chicago Bears at home on Monday Night Football, and New England Patriots at home on Sunday night.
