Green Bay Packers Among Favorites For 2011 Super Bowl

NFL News - February 11th, 2010 - Written by John

By the time the sour taste is out of the mouths of Green Bay Packers fans from an otherwise thrilling wild card loss, there will be the memory of a very good 2009 season that puts the cheeseheads in great position to contend for the NFC North. Much of that will have to do with the future of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, but after an 11-5 season, there's much to look forward to for the Packers and their blossoming quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. In just his second full season, Rodgers was the NFC's third-rated passer with 4,434 yards, and was the conference's starter in the Pro Bowl.

Despite the loss in the playoffs, Green Bay has plenty of momentum heading into 2010 with almost all of last year's second-rated defense returning. NFL Betting Lines list Green Bay as a 12-to-1 favorite to win the Super Bowl, according to Bodog.

Packers fans can also take solace in the fact that their team actually cares about winning. Following an ugly loss to then-winless Tampa Bay in Week Nine, Green Bay was 4-4 and at a crossroads of the season. Rodgers, among other team leaders, called a meeting to talk about the team's path, and how the season would be defined. Since that meeting, the path was bright, winning six of the final seven games of the year and easily securing a wild card spot.

The Packers will also return Ryan Grant, who ran for 1,253 yards and scored 11 times. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver combined for 2,174 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk led the defense with 105 and 89 tackles, respectively. Barnett also had four sacks, and Hawk picked off two passes.

Green Bay also returns the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Charles Woodson. In his 2009 renaissance, Woodson had 74 tackles, two sacks, four forced fumbles, and led the league with nine interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.