Cheese Curds, 2/9: Packers among Vegas’ Super Bowl favorites again in 2018

If we know one thing, it’s that Las Vegas knows who is going to win the Super Bowl a year in advance.

Oh wait. The Philadelphia Eagles were 60-1 longshots at this time last year.

That number put the Eagles in a tie for 21st among all NFL teams. In fact, the Jacksonville Jaguars who had a fourth-quarter lead on the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, were 80-1 at the same time.

That’s why it’s far too early to read into the odds for predictive purposes. However, it still speaks to the perception of NFL teams, and it’s clear from the Packers’ odds at present that bettors and sportsbooks still think they are one of the top contenders in the league. Depending on which book you look at, the Packers are between 9-1 and 12-1 to win Super Bowl LIII, putting them among the teams with the lowest odds.

In today’s curds, let’s take a look at why bettors still have faith in the Packers and why fans should have that faith as well.

Healthy Aaron Rodgers, strong defense make Packers contenders - ESPN
The Packers are squarely in the group of Super Bowl favorites, as far as Vegas is concerned. As the headline suggests, Rodgers' health and Mike Pettine's improvements are the biggest determining factors.

Aaron Rodgers ready to hit the links again with Jerry Kelly | Packers.com
Rodgers is playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week, one of his favorite events. Clearly, his collarbone must be back to 100% (or close to it).

Jerry Kramer says daughter will introduce him at Hall of Fame ceremony | Packers Wire
After Alicia Kramer did so much of the legwork to get her father into the Hall of Fame, it's only right that she should be the one to introduce him in August.

Green Bay Packers lay foundation for future of running game | Packersnews.com
My biggest question about the Packers' running backs for 2018 is whether Mike McCarthy will embrace a heavy rotation and tailor each player's uses to his strengths. It's something we've discussed at APC before, particularly in light of the offenses in Super Bowl LII, and hopefully he learned a thing or to from watching those teams.

Minnesota Vikings to hire John DeFilippo as team's OC - NFL.com
DeFilippo interviewed for the Bears' head coaching job, though that ended up going to Kansas City's Matt Nagy. Instead, he still ends up in the NFC North, replacing Pat Shurmur in Minnesota.

Jimmy Garoppolo contract: Who’s going to end up paying Kirk Cousins? - SBNation.com
Cousins and Matt Ryan will probably be the next two quarterbacks to sign big contracts, with Cousins doing so in free agency and Ryan likely to ink an extension with just one year left on his deal. Then comes Aaron Rodgers, who will be watching those two deals closely.