Let me get this straight NFL football wagering fans.

Led by their Hall of Fame-bound quarterback, Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers, (13-3 SU, 12-3-1 ATS, 12-4 O/U) were just one win away from reaching Super Bowl XLII in 2007.



Now, after briefly retiring – and subsequently changing his mind – Favre wanted to return to the team he helped win one Super Bowl championship in 1997 and led to another Super Bowl appearance the following season – only to promptly get informed by Packers management that he is no longer welcome on the organization that he gave his heart and soul, not to mention, his blood, sweat and tears to for nearly two decades.

Maybe it’s me, but I’ve been thinking throughout this entire sad saga that the Packers and head coach Mike McCarthy are absolutely bonkers – and the team is going to suffer in 2008 because of their sheer, unadulterated lunacy.

The good news for BetUS NFL betting enthusiasts is the fact that they should be able to benefit greatly by online wagering or football gambling against Green Bay in 2008 when the situation warrants it – namely when the team is facing an opponent of equal or greater ability.

My main problem with Green Bay’s decision to distance themselves from Favre is two-fold but quite simple.

First of all, it’s evident by Favre’s 2007 season, arguably the best season of his entire 17-year career that the man can still play on a level equal with the best quarterbacks in the game today.

Favre threw for 4,155 yards, completing a career-high 66.5 percent of his passes with 28 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions, his lowest total in that category in five seasons.

Additionally, for a team that is a certified Super Bowl contender in the parity-laden NFC, it is an undeniable fact that Favre will give the team a better chance at winning than the player the team has now said is the future of the franchise, 2005 first round draft pick Aaron Rodgers, who has played in all of seven NFL games over his three seasons, completing 35 of 59 passes, (59.3 percent) for 329 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

While every defensive coordinator that goes up against the Packers and Rodgers this season, will likely throw the kitchen sink at Rodgers with a ton of blitzes and different packages to confuse the first-time starter – and likely succeed on many occasions because of Rodgers’ lack of starting experience, allowing their opponents to take more chances – Favre’s presence in the pocket would have kept the stability – and confidence - that the offensive unit found together last season.

"Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers," McCarthy said earlier this offseason. "That's been stated over and over again. I hope we can finally understand that. That's where we are as an organization and as a head coach of the Green Bay Packers."

Another thing that bothers me about Green Bay’s decision to move on without Favre is that fact that I can guarantee that at least 75 percent of the players on the team would rather have Favre back as the starting quarterback simply because he gives the team the best chance to win a Super Bowl. Favre carries a well-known confident swagger about himself that infects the entire team as they believe they can win any game with Favre at the helm.

Unfortunately, for Packers’ players and fans, McCarthy has convinced himself that this will not be an issue for the Packers.

"I don't think it's a huge concern, because it will not be the first time the coach and any of the players will have a disagreement," McCarthy said. "We disagree quite often, but the most important part of disagreeing is having the ability to communicate."

While McCarthy continues to try to pull the wool over Packers’ fans’ eyes with idiotic statements like the aforementioned one, NFL bettors should be in the midst of adjust their respective betting attitudes toward the Packers as they prepare for the 2008 regular season opener.

After posting absolutely stellar wagering statistics across the board in 2007, largely because of the team’s second-ranked offense, which averaged 370.8 yards per game under Favre, the Packers can expect to come back to the pack, pardon the pun, with its spectacular offensive statistics.

Green Bay averaged 271.0 passing yards per game last season, (second) but just 99.8 rushing yards per game. The team’s 27.2 points per contest came largely on the strength of Favre’s right arm.

Still McCarthy continues to make foolish statements like, "The football team has moved forward with the emphasis on defense," McCarthy said. "Because that's what I believe in."

While that may be true, the fact of the matter is that the Packers ranked just 11th in overall defense, allowing 313.3 total yards per game, including 210.2 passing yards per game, (12th) and 103.1 rushing yards per contest, (14th) despite limiting their opponents to just 18.2 points per game (sixth).

The bottom line for BetUS NFL bettors is this. With Brett Favre leading the team, the Packers likely would have been looking at 10 or 11 wins minimum and another postseason appearance and strong run at a Super Bowl appearance.

With Rodgers starting the first season of his career, I see seven wins on the horizon and several losses to opponents they would have likely beaten or come close to beating, including these four contests, which I think will all be losses for Green Bay now. (Dallas at home, at Tampa Bay, Seattle at home, at New Orleans).

Check out the Packers’ opponents each week and wager accordingly NFL bettors. Just remember, the Green Bay Packers will not be the same team in 2008 without the legendary Brett Favre and are going to suffer, both with their straight up win total and wagering statistics across the board because of it.

2008 NFL betting - Try Betus Sportsbook for your online betting.