Davante Adams Trade Shifts Super Bowl Odds For Raiders, Packers

The Green Bay Packers traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders late Thursday in a stunning move that has serious implications for the 2022 NFL season.

The Raiders improved their chances of winning the Super Bowl by acquiring one of the league’s best wide receivers, while the Packers lowered their odds of winning next year’s title.

In the immediate aftermath of the trade, Las Vegas’ Super Bowl odds moved from +4000 to +3000 at BetMGM. The Raiders have since settled in at +3500 to win the championship in February 2023.

Green Bay’s Super Bowl odds dipped slightly from +1000 to +1100. It’s still a notable change, considering it ties the Packers with the defending champion Los Angeles Rams.

Because Tom Brady has decided to return from a brief retirement, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the clear Super Bowl favorites in the NFC with +800 odds. The Buffalo Bills lead all NFL teams with +650 odds to win the championship.

Once co-favorites with the Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs are second in the AFC and third in the NFL with +850 odds. After making four straight AFC Championship Game appearances, Kansas City’s title chances have been hurt this offseason by an improving AFC West.

The Raiders are coming off a playoff appearance, having edged out the Los Angeles Chargers for a wild-card spot in the final game of last season. Joining tight end Darren Waller and receiver Hunter Renfrow, Adams is now part of one of the AFC’s best group of playmakers.

Las Vegas still faces an uphill battle in competing for a championship. Because the Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, the Raiders might be the worst team in the division. The Broncos (+1400) and Chargers (+1600) are both considered Super Bowl contenders.

Adams set career-highs with 123 catches and 1,553 yards in 16 games last season. The veteran should have instant chemistry with Derek Carr, who was his quarterback at Fresno State.

No quarterback has been more reliant on a single receiver than Aaron Rodgers in the last few years. Adams received 169 targets in 2021. Running back Aaron Jones was second on the team with 65 targets. Allen Lazard was Green Bay’s second-leading receiver with a meager 513 yards.

It will be difficult for Green Bay to add another Pro-Bowl-caliber receiver this late into free agency. The Packers received a first and second-round draft pick in exchange for Adams. Neither pick is likely to turn into a top receiver for the 2022 season.

The Packers have won exactly 13 games in three straight years. Green Bay last won the championship in 2011. It was the team’s only trip to the Super Bowl since drafting Aaron Rodgers in 2005.

Las Vegas last made the Super Bowl 20 years ago. It was the last time that the Raiders won a playoff game.