Many of the best NFL betting sites weren't ready to predict it at the start of the 2021 regular season, but the Green Bay Packers are, in fact, entering the 2022 NFL playoffs as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Of course, before they can start thinking about hoisting another trophy, they need to first get past the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 NFL Divisional playoffs on January 22.
One gander at the latest betting odds on the NFL postseason tells you most football linemakers expect Aaron Rodgers and company to do just that:
As always, prior to making your 2022 NFL playoff picks and figuring out whether the Packers should be heavy favorites to beat the 49ers, please remember to double-check all football betting odds for accuracy. These NFL playoff odds will invariably move between now and the opening kickoff.
It's also recommended that you take some time to go through our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. We've rated all the most popular options in the business, so spotting the best 2022 NFL playoff betting sites should be an absolute breeze.
Do the 49ers Even Have a Chance vs. Packers?
Whether you trust the 49ers to flirt with an upset over the Packers comes down to your faith in their passing attack under quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. We know they can gut it out on the ground. We also know that their defense is incredibly difficult to break on the front seven and that they will do a good job limiting long throws down the field to opposing wideouts. What we don't know is the version of Jimmy G they're going to get in Green Bay.
This has been the story for the Niners all season. Jimmy G will piece together a masterpiece, maybe even two consecutive good games, only to turn in a complete egg or be the author of a demonstrative gaffe late in a tightly contested tilt.
There is a clear lack of trust in him despite the Niners making it this far, too. San Francisco is 29th in total passing volume, which shows you the extent they go to rely on their running back rotation. Granted, Jimmy G is fifth in net yards per completion; the dude has a cannon for an arm. But his accuracy verges on erratic for possessions at a time.
On the bright side, the Packers' defense doesn't pose the most difficult of challenges. Green Bay is 26th in passing touchdowns allowed. But breaking up plays that travel 15-plus yards is their specialty. More than anything, though, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, the odds-on MVP favorite.
San Francisco's defense may be good, perhaps even great. But Rodgers is the top-rated quarterback when it comes to protecting the ball and blends absurd precision in the short field with mind-melting distance on his bigger-time attempts. To top it all off, the Niners aren't used to playing in a cold-weather environment like that in Green Bay, and the Packers have yet to lose at home, where they're beating opponents by an average of more than two touchdowns.
OSB Prediction: Green Bay Packers (-240)
Trust the Packers to Cover Point Spread vs. 49ers
Here are the latest Packers vs. 49ers point spread betting odds:
- San Francisco 49ers: +5.5 (-105)
- Green Bay Packers: -5.5 (-115)
This is a wildly difficult point spread to predict. The Niners have the risk tolerance to air it out if they fall behind early, and Green Bay is known to play more conservative defense when holding leads.
At the same time, we have to play the trends. And the numbers say the Packers are basically double-digit-margin locks when going to work at home. Playoff settings can naturally change how they approach opponents, but given how inconsistent the Niners' offense has been this season, we feel fairly confident in Green Bay cobbling together a victory that comes by at least one touchdown.
OSB Prediction: Green Bay Packers will cover at -5.5 (-115)
Will Packers vs. Niners Hit the Over?
Below are the latest over/under betting odds for Packers vs. 49ers:
- Over 47.5: -115
- Under 47.5: -105
These Packers-49ers over/under betting odds force us into yet another difficult decision.
On the one hand, given our lack of trust in Jimmy G leading the Niners' offense and the cold weather on tap for Saturday's competition, there's a distinct possibility this turns into one of those 23-16 kind of games. On the other hand, do we really see a Rodgers-piloted offense scoring fewer than 30 points on their home field?
To be honest: Yes, we do. There's no guarantee the Niners' offense is in peak form, and we'll fully expect the Packers to try burning as much of the clock as possible in the second half if they're holding a lead, much like they've done in postseasons past.
OSB Prediction: Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers will go under 47.5 points (-105)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your 2022 NFL playoff betting:
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