1996 Green Bay Packers season
Head coach Mike Holmgren
Home field Lambeau Field
Results
Record 13–3
Division place 1st NFC Central
Playoff finish Won NFC
Divisional (49ers) 35–14
Won NFC Championship (Panthers) 30–13
Won Super Bowl XXXI (Patriots 35–21)
Timeline
Previous season Next
season
< 1995 1997
>
The 1996 Green Bay Packers season was the team's 76th in the National
Football League, which culminated with the franchise winning its third Super
Bowl and league-record 12th NFL World Championship . The Packers posted a
league-best 13–3 regular season won-loss record, going 8–0 at home and 5–3 on
the road. It was the first time since 1962 that the club went undefeated at
home.[1] Additionally, the Packers had the NFL's highest-scoring offense (456)
and allowed the fewest points on defense (210). Green Bay was the first team to
accomplish both feats in the same season since the undefeated 1972 Miami
Dolphins. They finished the season with the number one ranked offense, defense,
and special teams. They also set a then NFL record for the least amount of
touchdowns allowed in a 16-game season, with 19. The Packers also allowed the
fewest yards in the NFL and set a record for punt return yardage. Brett Favre
won his second straight MVP award while also throwing for a career high and
league leading 39 touchdown passes.
In the postseason, the Packers defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the
divisional round and the Carolina Panthers in the NFC championship game. Green
Bay beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI to win their third Super
Bowl and twelfth NFL Championship.[2]
In 2007, the 1996 Packers were ranked as the 16th greatest Super Bowl
champions on the NFL Network's documentary series America's Game: The Super
Bowl Champions. The 1996 Packers were ranked 6th-greatest Super Bowl team of
all-time by a similar panel done by ESPN and released in 2007.
Offseason[edit]
NFL Draft[edit]
Main article: 1996 NFL Draft
1996 Green Bay Packers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 27 John Michels Offensive tackle USC
2 56 Derrick Mayes Wide receiver Notre Dame
3 90 Mike Flanagan * Center UCLA
3 93 Tyrone Williams Cornerback Nebraska
4 123 Chris Darkins Running back Minnesota
6 208 Marco Rivera * Guard Penn
State
7 240 Kyle Wachholtz Quarterback USC
7 252 Keith McKenzie Defensive end Ball
State
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
[3]
Personnel[edit]
Staff[edit]
1996 Green Bay Packers staff
Front office
President/Chief Executive Officer – Bob Harlan
Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ron Wolf
Director of Pro Personnel – Ted Thompson
Director of College Scouting – John Math
Pro Personnel Assistant – Reggie McKenzie
Head coaches
Head Coach – Mike Holmgren
Offensive coaches
Offensive Coordinator – Sherman Lewis
Quarterbacks – Marty Mornhinweg
Running Backs – Harry Sydney
Wide Receivers – Gil Haskell
Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line – Andy Reid
Offensive Line – Tom Lovat
Defensive coaches
Defensive Coordinator – Fritz Shurmur
Defensive Line – Larry Brooks
Linebackers – Jim Lind
Defensive Backs – Bob Valesente
Defensive Assistant/Quality Control – Johnny Holland
Special teams coaches
Special Teams – Nolan Cromwell
Strength and conditioning
Strength and Conditioning – Kent Johnston
Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Barry Rubin
[4]
Roster[edit]
1996 Green Bay Packers final roster
Quarterbacks
4 Brett Favre
9 Jim McMahon
18 Doug Pederson
Running backs
34 Edgar Bennett
32 Travis Jervey
27 Calvin Jones
25 Dorsey Levens
30 William Henderson
38 Brian Satterfield
49 Kevin Smith
Wide receivers
82 Don Beebe
87 Robert Brooks
86 Antonio Freeman
80 Derrick Mayes
85 Terry Mickens
84 Anthony Morgan
84 Andre Rison
81 Desmond Howard
Tight ends
89 Mark Chmura
88 Keith Jackson
83 Jeff Thomason
Offensive linemen
68 Gary Brown
72 Earl Dotson
77 John Michels
75 Ken Ruettgers
64 Bruce Wilkerson
65 Lindsay Knapp
73 Aaron Taylor
63 Adam Timmerman
50 Mike Arthur
60 Gene McGuire
67 Jeff Dellenbach
52 Frank Winters
Defensive linemen
91 Shannon Clavelle
96 Sean Jones
92 Reggie White
98 Gabe Wilkins
93 Gilbert Brown
71 Santana Dotson
94 Bob Kuberski
90 Darius Holland
Linebackers
95 Keith McKenzie
54 Ron Cox
55 Bernardo Harris
56 Lamont Hollinquest
53 George Koonce
59 Wayne Simmons
51 Brian Williams
Defensive backs
22 Bucky Brooks
42 Corey Dowden
33 Doug Evans
21 Craig Newsome
46 Michael Robinson
37 Tyrone Williams
36 LeRoy Butler
28 Roderick Mullen
40 Chris Hayes
39 Mike Prior
41 Eugene Robinson
Special teams
13 Chris Jacke
17 Craig Hentrich
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Active, Inactive, Practice squad
Preseason[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Game site TV Time Record Attendance
Regular season[edit]
Schedule[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Game site TV Time Record Attendance
1 September 1, 1996 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 34–3 Houlihan's Stadium FOX 3:00pm 1–0
54,102
2 September 9, 1996 Philadelphia Eagles W 39–13 Lambeau
Field ABC 8:00pm 2–0
60,666
3 September 15, 1996 San Diego Chargers W 42–10 Lambeau
Field NBC 12:00pm 3–0
60,584
4 September 22, 1996 at Minnesota Vikings L 21–30 Hubert
H. Humphrey Metrodome FOX 12:00pm 3–1
64,168
5 September 29, 1996 at Seattle Seahawks W 31–10 Kingdome FOX 3:00pm 4–1
59,973
6 October 6, 1996 at Chicago Bears W 37–6 Soldier Field FOX 12:00pm 5–1
65,480
7 October 14, 1996 San Francisco 49ers W 23–20 (OT) Lambeau Field ABC 8:00pm 6–1
60,716
8 Bye Week
9 October 27, 1996 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–7 Lambeau
Field FOX 12:00pm 7–1
60,627
10 November 3, 1996 Detroit Lions W 28–18 Lambeau
Field FOX 12:00pm 8–1
60,695
11 November 10, 1996 at Kansas City Chiefs L 20–27 Arrowhead
Stadium FOX 12:00pm 8–2
79,281
12 November 18, 1996 at Dallas Cowboys L 6–21 Texas Stadium ABC 8:00pm 8–3
65,032
13 November 24, 1996 at St. Louis Rams W 24–9 Trans World Dome ESPN 7:00pm 9–3
61,499
14 December 1, 1996 Chicago Bears W 28–17 Lambeau
Field FOX 12:00pm 10–3
59,682
15 December 8, 1996 Denver Broncos W 41–6 Lambeau Field NBC 12:00pm 11–3
60,712
16 December 15, 1996 at Detroit Lions W 31–3 Pontiac Silverdome FOX 12:00pm 12–3
73,214
17 December 22, 1996 Minnesota Vikings W 38–10 Lambeau Field FOX 12:00pm 13–3
59,306
All times are CENTRAL time
Game summaries[edit]
Week 1[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
• Packers 10 14 10 0 34
Buccaneers 0 3 0 0 3
Date: September 1
Location: Houlihan's Stadium, Tampa, FL
Game start: 4:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 54,102
Game weather: 81°F; wind 6
Television network: Fox
[show]Scoring summary
[5]
Standings[edit]
NFC Central
view talk edit W L T PCT PF PA STK
(1) Green Bay Packers 13 3 0 .813 456 210 W5
(6) Minnesota Vikings 9 7 0 .563 298 315 L1
Chicago Bears 7 9 0 .438 283 305 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 10 0 .375 221 293 W1
Detroit Lions 5 11 0 .313 302 368 L5
Season statistical leaders[edit]
Brett Favre broke the Packers single-season record for touchdown passes
by throwing 39.[6]
Passing Yards: Brett Favre 3,899 Yards
Passing Touchdowns: Brett Favre 39 TD
Rushing Yards: Edgar Bennett, 899 Yards
Rushing Touchdowns: Dorsey Levens, 5 TD
Receiving Yards: Antonio Freeman, 933 Yards
Receiving Touchdowns: Keith Jackson, 10 TD
Points: Chris Jacke, 114 points
Kickoff Return Yards: Desmond Howard, 460 Yards
Punt Return Yards: Desmond Howard, 875 Yards
Tackles: George Koonce, 97 Tackles
Sacks: Reggie White, 8.5 Sacks
Interceptions: Eugene Robinson, 6 Interceptions
Playoffs[edit]
Schedule
Round Date Opponent Result Game site TV Time Record Attendance
NFC Divisional Playoff January
4, 1997 San Francisco 49ers W 35–14 Lambeau
Field FOX 11:30am 14–3
60,787
NFC Championship Game January
12, 1997 Carolina Panthers W 30–13 Lambeau Field FOX 11:30am 15–3
60,216
Super Bowl XXXI January
26, 1997 New England
Patriots W 35–21 Louisiana Superdome FOX 5:00pm 16–3
72,031
NFC Divisional Playoff vs. San Francisco 49ers[edit]
NFC Divisional Playoff: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers –
Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
49ers 0 7 7 0 14
Packers 14 7 7 7 35
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date: January 4, 1997
Game time: 11:30 a.m
Green Bay was able to win going away on a cold damp day at Lambeau
field. With the weather turning the field into a muddy mess both offenses
struggled. San Francisco was able to keep pace offensively and defensively for
most of the game, with the score 21–14 in favor of Green Bay in the third
quarter, but special teams were decisively dominated by the Packers. Penalties
also played a factor as San Francisco had 6 for 42 yards, while Green Bay only
had 1 for 5.
A muffed kickoff by Green Bay set up a 49ers touchdown, but Green Bay's
Desmond Howard returned two kicks for large gains, including one touchdown. The
final score was Green Bay 35–14.
NFC Championship Game vs. Carolina Panthers[edit]
NFC Championship Game: Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers – Game
summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 7 3 3 0 13
Packers 0 17 10 3 30
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date: January 12, 1997
Game time: 11:30 a.m
Super Bowl XXXI vs. New England Patriots[edit]
Super Bowl XXXI: New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers – Game
summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Patriots 14 0 7 0 21
Packers 10 17 8 0 35
at Louisiana Superdome
Date: January 26, 1997
Game time: 5:30 p.m.
The Packers win their first championship since 1967. Desmond Howard is
named the Super Bowl MVP, as he accumulated 244 total yards worth of returns
(kick and punt) including a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the 3rd
quarter. Patriots Quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw 4 interceptions while Brett
Favre threw for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran another one in.