Record 13–3 Head coach Mike Holmgren Home field Lambeau Field | Division place 1st NFC Central Start date 1996 | |
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Playoff finish Won Divisional Playoffs (49ers) 35–14
Won Conference Championship (Panthers) 30–13
Won Super Bowl XXXI (Patriots) 35–21 Similar 1997 Green Bay Packers s, 1989 San Francisco 49ers sea, 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers s, 1984 San Francisco 49ers sea, 1998 Denver Broncos s | ||
The 1996 Green Bay Packers season was the team's 77th 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. 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.
Contents
- Schedule
- Season statistical leaders
- Playoffs
- NFC Divisional Playoff vs San Francisco 49ers
- Super Bowl XXXI vs New England Patriots
- Awards and records
- References
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.
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.
Schedule
All times are CENTRAL time
Season statistical leaders
Brett Favre broke the Packers single-season record for touchdown passes by throwing 39.
Playoffs
Schedule
NFC Divisional Playoff vs. San Francisco 49ers
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.
Super Bowl XXXI vs. New England Patriots
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.