Packers QB Rodgers’ Return vs. Bears Worth Gamble

December 29, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

When we begin to discuss the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Green Bay Packers lineup for Sunday’s showdown against the Chicago Bears at Solider Field to decide the champion of the NFC North, let us begin with where his presence will have the greatest impact.

Ronda Rousey (8-0) successfully defended her UFC 135-pound title by defeating Miesha Tate 58 seconds into the third round at UFC 168 on Saturday night. This was not Ronda’s fighting attire (in case you couldn’t guess).

It’s the area that is the unholy underpinning of the National Football League: gambling. Without gambling (and, yes, fantasy football falls into that category — unless you are playing solely to prove your brilliance as a talent evaluator and/or manipulator), there is decidedly less interest in pro football. You don’t have to like that depiction, nor do you have to agree with that. But that is the reality.

And so, we go to someone who knows something about the betting side of the sport. Kevin Bradley is the Sportsbook Manager at Bovada. The fine folks at Bovada (www.Bovada.lv, Twitter: @BovadaLV) have provided a quote from him and also have provided some numbers to contemplate (using this material definitely simplifies the crafting typing of today’s effort. It also allows a little more time to wander the internet in search of photos and videos to enhance your reading/viewing/whatever pleasure.

Anyway, here is Bradley’s perspective on Rogers’ return:

“With Aaron Rodgers taking first team reps this week but still being listed as questionable, the team here at Bovada had to make two different spreads for the Packer-Bears game on Sunday. First, we made the line if Rodgers was not playing and we came up with a point spread of Bears -4. Then we made the point spread with Rodgers starting for the Packers and we came up with Packers -3. Basically, Rodgers is worth a whole touchdown when it comes to the point spread of this game and changed the Packers from underdogs to favorites as soon as he was confirmed the starter.”

How all that plays out on the football field is something we will have to wait for — well, unless you are reading this at a later date. In which case you likely will have an how Rodgers and the Packers performed, etc.

Some numbers from the folks at Bovada:

* Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Odds (Before Rodgers announcement): 28/1
* Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Odds (After Rodgers announcement): 16/1
* Green Bay Packers Conference Odds (Before Rodgers announcement): 16/1
* Green Bay Packers Conference Odds (After Rodgers announcement): 9/1

Total Passing Yards – Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Over / Under: 290½

Total Completions – Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Over / Under: 23½

Total TD Passes – Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Over: 2½ (+125, 5/4)
Under: 2½ (-160, 5/8)

Total Interceptions – Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Over: ½ (-130, 10/13)
Under: ½ (EVEN, 1/1)

***

Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the edifying efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):