The Green Bay Packers are unlike any other major pro team in the US: they're community-owned and based in a small city. They also play at Lambeau Field, one of the most famous and coldest venues in football. Here's the guide to Packers odds.
Who the Green Bay Packers are
City and stadium
The Packers were founded in 1919 and joined the NFL in 1921. They're publicly owned by hundreds of thousands of shareholders, a non-profit structure that has kept the team in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a city of around 100,000 people. Their home since 1957 is Lambeau Field, an open-air stadium known as the "Frozen Tundra." Fans are nicknamed Cheeseheads, and players celebrate touchdowns with the "Lambeau Leap" into the stands.
Famous eras
- Early dynasties: the Packers won several NFL championships in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s under founder Curly Lambeau.
- The Lombardi era: head coach Vince Lombardi led Green Bay to five championships in seven seasons in the 1960s, including Super Bowls I and II. The Super Bowl trophy is named after him. The 1967 "Ice Bowl" NFL Championship game was played in extreme cold at Lambeau.
- Favre and later: the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI (1996 season) and Super Bowl XLV (2010 season). Green Bay has a record number of NFL championships across all eras.
Rivalries
The Chicago Bears rivalry dates back to 1921 and is one of the oldest in sports. The Packers also face the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions twice a year in the NFC North.
How to read odds on Packers games
Favorite or underdog
Packers -5 (-110), moneyline -230: implied 230 ÷ 330 = 69.7%. Packers +2 (-110), moneyline +110: implied 100 ÷ 210 = 47.6%.
Lambeau in December and January
Late-season games at Lambeau can be played in freezing temperatures, with wind and snow. The common belief is that cold-weather teams have an edge over visitors from warm climates or domes. Some data supports a modest effect, but the market is very aware of it.
As always, wind is the most important weather factor for totals. Extreme cold can also affect ball handling and kicking. See weather and outdoor sports.
Worked example: cold-weather home game vs dome team
The Packers host a dome team in December. The line is Packers -4. Suppose your neutral-field estimate is Packers -1, and you value home advantage at 2 points.
- Your projection: Packers -3.
- The market: Packers -4.
The market may be adding an extra point for the cold and the dome team's discomfort. If you think that extra point is justified, -4 is fair. If not, the visiting team at +4 might be the better side. Spelling out the components of a line helps you see where you disagree.
National following
The Packers have a large national fan base. As with other popular teams, public support can occasionally shade prices. See favorites vs underdogs.
Season-long markets
If the Packers' win total is 9.5 with the over at +105, the implied chance of ten or more wins is 100 ÷ 205 = 48.8%. Think about how many late-season games are at Lambeau, where cold may help, and how many are long road trips.
What to check before picking Packers games
- Quarterback status. Green Bay has a history of long quarterback eras, and transitions matter.
- Weather at Lambeau, especially wind and extreme cold.
- Opponent's climate: dome or warm-weather teams in winter.
- NFC North spots, including the Bears games.
- Rest and travel.
- Your price vs the market. See value betting.
Practice with play money
Lambeau's winter games are a classic place to test weather theories. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Packers games and note temperature and wind with every pick. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
Who owns the Packers?
The Packers are publicly owned by many shareholders, a non-profit structure unique among major US professional sports teams.
What is the Ice Bowl?
The 1967 NFL Championship game between the Packers and Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, played in temperatures far below freezing. Green Bay won on a late quarterback sneak.
How many Super Bowls have the Packers won?
Four: Super Bowls I, II, XXXI and XLV, alongside many NFL championships before the Super Bowl era.