Packers Playoff Defeats: Still Can't Kill Goliath...
The third edition of our look at the Green Bay Packers' playoff defeats puts us in the 1995 season, as the Packers had become regular guests at the NFL postseason shindig. Things felt a little bit different throughout the season, especially since the '95 club won the NFC Central division this time around.
Led by Brett Favre, earning his first of 3 consecutive NFL MVP awards, Green Bay finished with an 11-5 mark and the third seed in the NFC playoffs. The 11 victories were the most for the franchise since 1966, the year Green Bay won the first Super Bowl.
The Packers ended the season 6th in points scored and 4th in points allowed in football. You want to know how tough the NFC was during those days? Of the 6 clubs that scored 400 or more points, 5 of them played in the NFC, including 3 in the Central division.
Despite Green Bay's stellar year, they needed a Yancey Thigpen drop in the corner of the end zone at Lambeau Field to secure the franchise's first division crown in 23 years.
Thigpen was all alone, but couldn't haul in the 4th down pass with 11 seconds left as the Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 on the last day of the seaon.
Perhaps the legends that played on the storied turf in Wisconsin played a part. It didn't impact the Steelers much, as they'd go on to play in the Super Bowl later that season.
Everyone was feeling good heading into the playoffs...although there was still a sense of doubt knowing two behemoths would eventually stand in their way - the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, who combined to win the last 3 NFL Championships.
But first, Green Bay had to take care of business at home...and they did.
Wild Card Round - Green Bay Does It All on a Sloppy Lambeau:
Packers 37, Falcons 20
On a slick and chewed up field, the Packers did a little bit of everything in easily disposing of the Atlanta Falcons to open up the playoffs.
Edgar Bennett carried the ball 24 times for 108 yards and TD, while Favre tossed 3 touchdowns to 3 different players to keep the offense rolling. Meanwhile, rookie Antonio Freeman made his mark with a 76-yard punt return to put Green Bay ahead 20-10 in the 2nd quarter.
The defense wasn't in top form, but they forced a pair of interceptions and sacked Jeff George 3 times to keep the Packers in control throughout the contest. The 37-20 win was their 3rd straight season with a playoff win...but the Packers wanted more.
Divisional Round - Packers Punish S.F. in Holmgren's Return:
Packers 27, 49ers 17
Nothing about this matchup seemed to favor the Packers as they looked to reach the NFC Championship game for the first time since the Ice Bowl.
San Francisco was the defending Super Bowl champion and had the NFL's highest-scoring offense and 2nd-best defense (by points allowed). They boasted 2-time MVP Steve Young throwing to one of the greatest wide receivers in history, Jerry Rice.
Plus, the home team had won 19 of the last 21 second-round playoff games and the 49ers had allowed more than 13 points in a home game only once that season.
None of that mattered.
The Packers drove right down the field on their opening possession, but stalled out on the 49ers' 26. Then a bad sign - Chris Jacke's 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked and Green Bay came away empty-handed. Few remember that...
Because on the next play, San Fran's first offensive snap, Wayne Simmons popped Adam Walker to knock the ball loose. Rookie cornerback Craig Newsome, who would have 1 fumble recovery the rest of his career, scooped up the rock and took it 31 yards for the opening TD.
It was all Packers from there.
After the 49ers went three-and-out, Green Bay sped 62 yards in just 4 plays to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Favre hit Keith Jackson for 35 yards and Robert Brooks for 20 more on the drive's first 2 plays, before finding Jackson again for a 3-yard strike.
The Packers would find pay dirt once more before halftime with Favre finding Mark Chmura for another TD, this one putting the visitors ahead 21-0 and surprisingly in control of the game.
I remember watching the game with my dad and a group of his friends, and we were all in a state of shock, excitement and giddiness all at the same time. We could hardly believe, as the clock ticked down, that the Packers were going to the NFC Championship game with a 27-17 win.
The big question now was, would the Packers be travelling to Dallas for a third straight season or could the Philadelphia Eagles knock off the Cowboys so that the NFC title game would be at Lambeau Field against Reggie White's former team?
Unfortunately, it would be the former...
NFC Championship - Defense Struggles as Dallas Plays Dirty:
Cowboys 38, Packers 27
In what turned out to be an absolute battle on the gridiron, the Packers' defense was battered and bruised by game's end - and none too happy with a cheap block that damaged Green Bay's chances.
Overall, the Cowboys were still the better team. They ranked 3rd in both points scored and points allowed during the season, and their balance paid off in a big way.
Despite his pair of interceptions, Favre was the lone reason Green Bay had a chance to win, as the running game was completely neutralized (48 yards) and the defense couldn't come up with any key stops to get off the field.
The Packers' defense gave up touchdown drives of 80, 90 and 99 yards in the game, which not only contributed to 21 of Dallas' 38 points, but it wore down the defense throughout the game, and kept Favre on the sideline. Green Bay had the ball for only 21 minutes the entire contest.
Earlier in the game, with the Packers down 14-3, Favre put Green Bay ahead with back-to-back touchdown drives. The first one took just a single play, hitting Brooks for a 73-yard TD pass. On the next drive, Favre found Jackson from 24 yards out and the Packers led 17-14.
At that point, Packers' fans across the country were believing this was finally the year. Favre would throw for 307 yards, 105 of those to Brooks, as the MVP tried his best to will the Pack to an upset win...but it wasn't meant to be.
The problem was that Dallas racked up 419 total yards and didn't turn the ball over, beating Green Bay into submission with a relentless offensive attack.
Considering the Packers were a top 5 defense, it was crushing to see them struggle - and the most devastating sight was an 11 play, 99-yard drive right before halftime. It gave Dallas a 24-17 lead as Emmitt Smith scored on a 1-yard run, one of his 3 TDs as he racked up 150 yards on the day.
During that drive, defensive tackle John Jurkovic was cut-blocked from behind by Erik Williams, forcing Jurkovic to leave with a sprained knee. It was a huge blow to the defense, and his absence was noticeable as the game wore on.
Following a Jacke field goal and a rare defensive stop, the Packers marched 79 yards, which included a 54 yard pass to Jackson. Favre would later toss his 3rd TD of the game, hitting Brooks again to put Green Bay in front 27-24 with only a quarter to play.
But the Cowboys beat down Green Bay's defense again, this time traversing 90 yards with relative ease, finished off by Smith's 5-yard scamper. Dallas had the lead again, now 31-27.
The Packers would twice cross midfield in the 4th quarter, but the drives ended with an interception and a turnover on downs. Meanwhile, the Cowboys tacked on another touchdown to earn their 3rd trip to the Super Bowl in 4 years (all victories).
The Packers fought valiantly, but came up short yet again. Even with the talent Ron Wolf had assembled, they still couldn't reach the "Promised Land" thanks to the greatness of Dallas.
It's fair to wonder if these Packers' teams had played in a different era - say right now, for example - if they wouldn't have been to a couple Super Bowls already. Instead, a real return to Titletown would have to wait one more year...and it was an amazing one.