Green Bay Packers Extend NFC North Lead Over Bears, Lions, Among Top Super Bowl Contenders In 2019

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers — Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Randall Cobb #18 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers continue to roll as the 2019 NFL season approaches the midway point. The team remained atop the NFC North in Week 7 with an impressive 42-24 victory over the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field.

With a 6-1 record, Green Bay is only a half-game behind the San Francisco 49ers for the best record in the NFC. The Packers are one of five NFL teams with no more than one loss.

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions Sunday afternoon, staying one game behind Green Bay in the division. With back-to-back losses against Minnesota and Green Bay, Detroit is three games out of first place and a long shot in the NFC North. The Chicago Bears were blown out by the New Orleans Saints, dropping to 3-3 and 2.5 games behind the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers had his best game of the season Sunday, completing 25 of 31 passes for 429 yards, five touchdowns and a perfect passer rating. With his numbers and Green Bay’s record, the quarterback is among the favorites to win the NFL MVP award.

Rodgers remains one of the best quarterbacks in football, and the Packers have their best defense in a long time. Green Bay ranks ninth in points allowed this season.

Updated Super Bowl 54 odds (Bovada):

NE 240
NO 550
GB 900
SF 950
KC 1000
BAL/DAL 1600
LAR/MIN 1800
PHI 2200
IND/SEA 2500
HOU 3000
BUF/CAR 3500
CHI 4000
CLE/PIT 6600
JAX/OAK 8000
DET 10000
LAC/TEN 12500
ARI/TB 15000
DEN 20000
ATL 30000
NYG 35000
NYJ 50000
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) October 21, 2019

Green Bay looks like one of the league’s top Super Bowl contenders. Only the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints have better odds to win the championship heading into Week 8.

The Packers have a favorable upcoming schedule that could help them extend their NFC North lead even further.

In Week 8, Green Bay will visit the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be forced to start quarterback Matt Moore in place of the injured Patrick Mahomes. In Week 9, the Packers will face the Los Angeles Chargers, who are in last place in the AFC West with a 2-5 record. Green Bay is back at Lambeau Field to host the Carolina Panthers in Week 10 before their bye.

Green Bay is a three-point road favorite in Kansas City, according to OddsShark. The Packers should be favored in each of their next three games.

National Football League