Green Bay, one of the preseason favorites to win the NFC, flirted with missing the playoffs after losing three of four games late in the season. The Packers did make the tournament, though, coming in as the sixth seed in the NFC with a 10-6 record. Mike McCarthy's squad, which is listed at +550 moneyline odds to win the conference championship in the latest NFL Playoff Picks 2011, will travel to Philadelphia this weekend to take on the Eagles. Green Bay Packers Odds to Win 2011 Super Bowl are currently set at 12 to 1.
Green Bay, outside of the Colts, was hit 
harder than any other team by the injury bug. The Packers lost starting running back Ryan Grant in the season opener against Philadelphia, tight end Jermichael Finley in a week five meeting with the Redskins, and linebacker Nick Barnett in the team's first game against division rival Detroit. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, undoubtedly the team's most valuable player, also missed a game after suffering a concussion in a week 14 loss to the Lions.
The loss of so many playmakers resulted in an up and down, roller coaster type year for Green Bay, one that saw the team win four games in a row, but also drop three of four contests at two different points in the season.
Despite Grant and Finley sitting out the majority the season, the Packers still racked up 358.1 yards and 24.2 points per game. Rodgers unique skill set played a significant role in Green Bay's ability to push ahead offensively as he threw for 3922 yards and 28 touchdowns without the team's full compliment of talent around him. Rodgers 8.3 yards per pass ranked second only to Philip Rivers 8.7 mark and his 101.2 passer rating was the third best in the league.
If the Packers are to reach the Super Bowl or even the NFC Championship, Rodgers will need to be in top form. Green Bay will be on the road however long it remains in the postseason, and that does not bode well for the franchise. Rodgers and company lost five of their eight games outside of Lambeau this season, and they have dropped their last three away outings by an average of 3.3 points per game.
NFL Odds have the Packers listed as a +2.5 against the spread dog in Sunday's Wild Card dustup at Philadelphia.
Green Bay Packers Odds to Win 2011 Super Bowl:
To Win NFC Championship +550
To Win Super Bowl XLV +1200
