1996 Green Bay Packers season
| 1996 Green Bay Packers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Green Bay Packers, Inc. |
| Head coach | Mike Holmgren |
| Home field | Lambeau Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 13–3 |
| League place | 1st NFC Central |
The 1996 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise’s 78th overall season and their 76th in the National Football League. Coached by Mike Holmgren, the Packers finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, winning the NFC Central division and earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
The team advanced through the playoffs and won Super Bowl XXXI by defeating the New England Patriots 35–21. This was the Packers’ first Super Bowl victory in the Super Bowl era and the 12th NFL championship in franchise history.
Offseason
Green Bay entered the 1996 season with a strong core roster led by quarterback Brett Favre, running back Dorsey Levens, and a talented defense featuring Reggie White and LeRoy Butler. The team focused on building a balanced offense and maintaining consistency under coach Holmgren.
Regular season
The Packers dominated the NFC Central, finishing 13–3. Brett Favre threw for 3,899 yards and 39 touchdowns, earning the NFL Most Valuable Player award. The team’s defense allowed the fewest points in the division and helped secure critical victories.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 1 | New York Jets | W | 31–27 | Lambeau Field |
| 2 | September 8 | Minnesota Vikings | W | 29–23 | Lambeau Field |
| 3 | September 15 | Chicago Bears | W | 27–24 | Soldier Field |
| 4 | September 22 | Detroit Lions | L | 20–26 | Lambeau Field |
| 5 | September 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W | 38–21 | Lambeau Field |
| 6 | October 6 | Minnesota Vikings | W | 30–20 | Metropolitan Stadium |
| 7 | October 13 | Chicago Bears | W | 20–14 | Lambeau Field |
| 8 | October 20 | Detroit Lions | W | 31–21 | Pontiac Silverdome |
| 9 | October 27 | Atlanta Falcons | W | 31–10 | Lambeau Field |
| 10 | November 3 | Arizona Cardinals | W | 34–17 | Lambeau Field |
| 11 | November 10 | New Orleans Saints | L | 24–28 | Lambeau Field |
| 12 | November 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W | 21–14 | Tampa Stadium |
| 13 | November 24 | New York Giants | W | 27–17 | Lambeau Field |
| 14 | December 1 | Philadelphia Eagles | W | 34–7 | Lambeau Field |
| 15 | December 8 | Chicago Bears | W | 20–14 | Soldier Field |
| 16 | December 15 | Detroit Lions | W | 31–21 | Lambeau Field |
| 17 | December 22 | Minnesota Vikings | L | 17–23 | Lambeau Field |
Postseason
NFC Divisional Playoff
The Packers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 35–14 at Candlestick Park to advance to the NFC Championship.
NFC Championship Game
Green Bay faced the Dallas Cowboys and won 30–13 at Texas Stadium, earning a berth in the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXXI
The Packers defeated the New England Patriots 35–21 at Superdome in New Orleans. Brett Favre threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, while Desmond Howard was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance on returns.
Roster
Key players included:
- QB Brett Favre
- RB Dorsey Levens
- WR Antonio Freeman
- LB Reggie White
- S LeRoy Butler
Legacy
The 1996 season marked the Packers’ return to NFL dominance after decades without a Super Bowl victory. Mike Holmgren’s leadership and Brett Favre’s MVP season solidified the team as one of the league’s elite franchises. The Packers would continue to remain competitive throughout the late 1990s.
Related pages
- Green Bay Packers
- Super Bowl XXXI
- NFC Central