Green Bay Packers' 5 Most Memorable Games vs. Broncos
- Tim Muma
- Oct 30, 2015
- 5 min read
This Sunday, the Green Bay Packers travel to Denver to take on the Broncos. With a pair of marquee quarterbacks and undefeated teams clashing, it's set up to be one of the most memorable games in the history of this matchup.
Strangely, despite Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers taking the snaps, it's the teams' defenses that are getting the most attention heading into Sunday evening's contest. Denver allows the fewest yards per game in the league (281.3), while Green Bay gives up the fewest points (16.8).
Regardless, they both enter without a loss and it's the featured NFL tilt for a reason. Will it be the MOST memorable between the two teams? Not likely for obvious reasons - but it certainly can make its way near the top of this list.
For the record, the Packers are 6-5-1 in this series with 3 straight victories, but only 1-5 in Denver.
5 – Reggie White Makes Presence Felt: Green Bay 30, Denver 27
Green Bay had lost 3 straight games, blowing 4th-quarter leads in 2 of those and had yet to see Reggie White take over a game in his first 4 contests with his new team. That changed on this night...barely.
The offense was white hot in the first half, scoring on all six of its possessions (3 TDs, 3 FGs) to give Green Bay a 30-7 halftime lead. Jackie Harris had 128 yards receiving and a touchdown to pace the Packers' attack.
But Green Bay was stymied in the 2nd half while Denver stormed back to make it a 30-27 game with 2:05 left. John Elway, who threw the ball 59 times, had the ball at Green Bay's 43-yard line, but was sacked by White on back-to-back plays to preserve the victory.
The Pack's star free agent had finally arrived, keeping them from a 1-4 start, and helping them on their way to the franchise's first playoff berth (and win) since 1982.
4 – Packers Hit Stride On Way to Title: Green Bay 41, Denver 6
Though QB John Elway didn’t play for the Broncos, it was a matchup of teams headed for 13-3 regular seasons and the top seed in their respective conferences. Denver’s defense finished the year 4th in yards allowed and 7th in points given up – but couldn’t stop Green Bay on this day.
Brett Favre threw 4 touchdowns, hitting Antonio Freeman for 175 yards and 3 of those scores. It was one of 8 times that season (including playoffs) the Packers scored at least 34 points.
Following some mid-season struggles in 1996, this game put to rest any worries about the team wasting their golden opportunity to snap the franchise’s 28-year championship drought.
Counting this game, the Packers outscored their opponents 210-67 the rest of the season, ending it with their ever-so-sweet 35-21 Super Bowl victory.
3 – Scoreboard Watching at Lambeau: Green Bay 31, Denver 3
Ahman Green ripped off 218 yards on 20 carries, including a 98-yard TD run that sealed the win for the Packers. Despite the blowout win and 10-6 record, a strange sadness gripped Lambeau Field as it was 99% likely the Packers would miss the playoffs.
Suddenly, about 1,500 miles away, there was a glimmer of hope as the Arizona Cardinals grabbed an onside kick and had a chance to beat the Minnesota Vikings. If the Vikings lost, Green Bay would win the 2003 NFC North crown.
With players, fans and even radio voice Wayne Larrivee watching the closing seconds in Arizona, Nate Poole made a terrific TD catch to upset Minnesota. Lambeau Field erupted, players danced on the sidelines, and the Packers magically reached the postseason.
Read the 22-minute breakdown by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel below to get a feel for the strange chaos that happened that night.
A week later, Al Harris’ pick-six in overtime beat the Seattle Seahawks to keep the magic carpet ride floating along. The following week…4th-and-26 happened, representing one of the worst losses in franchise history.
2 – Old Gunslinger Still Has Bullets: Green Bay 19, Denver 13 (OT)
The Packers failed to score in the 2nd half and Jason Elam’s field goal as time expired sent the Monday night tilt into overtime. Green Bay won the OT coin toss and took over at its own 18-yard line.
On the first play from scrimmage, Favre faked the handoff to Ryan Grant, then lofted a perfect bomb down the left sideline to Greg Jennings who had a step on the corner. He snagged the ball and took it to the house for a game-ending, 82-yard touchdown.
It was the Packers' first ever win in Denver in 6 tries, which pushed their 2007 record to 6-1 and on their way to a shocking 10-1 start.
In Green Bay’s previous game, many questioned if Favre’s arm had lost some zip as the 38-year-old QB threw for a meager 188 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions at home. Having already hit James Jones with a 79-yard strike in the 1st quarter, rumors of his demise were premature.
Favre and the Packers would continue to surprise the NFL that year as they won the NFC North with a 13-3 record. Unfortunately, the season ended in disappointment in the NFC Championship game vs. the New York Giants – not that anyone needed the reminder.
1 – Super Bowl XXXII: Denver 31, Green Bay 24
As a Packers fan, it’s hard to say it, but this was one of the best Super Bowls in the game’s history.
The defending champs were touting their 3-time MVP quarterback while facing another Hall-of-Fame QB near the end of his career. Elway was still searching for his first ring – though running back Terrell Davis was the key to their offense.
The underdog Broncos out-maneuvered the Packers on both sides of the ball, gashing Green Bay on the ground and constantly pressuring the Pack’s offense into mistakes.
Trailing 17-7 in the 2nd quarter, Green Bay went on a 95-yard drive – capped by Favre’s TD pass to Mark Chmura – to cut the deficit to 3 at halftime. Then Ryan Longwell hit a field goal to tie it up at 17 with 11:59 to play in the 3rd quarter and it was on.
After Denver took a 24-17 lead, Antonio Freeman fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the Broncos the ball on the Green Bay 22-yard line. But on the first play, Elway was picked off by Eugene Robinson.
From there it took Favre and the Pack just 4 plays to go 85 yards to even the score again, this time at 24. Freeman had 3 catches on the drive, including the tying TD from 13 yards out, atoning for his near-deadly fumble.
Both defenses stiffened, and after Craig Hentrich hit a poor 39-yard punt, Denver was set up 1st-and-10 on the Packers’ 49. Davis was stopped for just 2 yards on the 1st down carry, but Darrius Holland was whistled for a 15-yard facemask, putting the Broncos at the Green Bay 32.
A few plays later, Davis scored from 1 yard out as – it appeared – the defense let him score to allow Favre time to try and bring the team back.
As most of you should know, after quickly moving down the field, the Packers stalled out at the Denver 31 with three straight incomplete passes. Elway had his title and told Favre, “You’ll be back for more.”
The Packers didn’t return to the Super Bowl until after the 2010 season, while Favre twice came up short in the NFC Championship game – once in Green Bay and once with the Vikings.
Even though the Packers lost, it was one of the best Super Bowls in NFL history...and the most memorable battle between Denver and Green Bay.
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