Green Bay Packers: Reliving the Super Bowl Champions' 2010-2011 Season
The Green Bay Packers capped off an improbable playoff run with a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
However, the Super Bowl was just the culmination of a grueling 20 game schedule that tested every single member of the Packers organization.
Through all the ups and downs and wins and losses, the Packers gave us a memorable 2010-2011 season.
Let's relive the Packers journey to the Super Bowl, starting in Week 1. At the end, I'll provide a little perspective on the Packers' amazing ride.
Week 1: Packers Live Up to Preseason Hype
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Rundown: The Packers were dubbed by many media outlets as the preseason favorite to come out of the NFC, and Green Bay didn't disappoint in their opening contest of 2010.
Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns, and Clay Matthews added three sacks and a 4th-and-1 stop of MIchael Vick to preserve the Packers 27-20 win.
However, despite an impressive win over the defending NFC East champions, the Packers' season took a turn for the worst right out of the gates.
Starting running back Ryan Grant left with an ankle injury, and it was later discovered to be a season ending ailment.
Offensive MVP: Greg Jennings (5 receptions, 82 yards and 1 TD)
Defensive MVP: Matthews (3 sacks, 7 tackles)
Record: 1-0, 1st in NFC North (tied)
Week 2: Life Goes On Without Grant
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Rundown: While Grant's injury loomed large over Green Bay, the Packers made sure his absence wouldn't slow down the high-flying offense.
Rodgers connected with James Jones and Donald Driver for touchdowns, and ran another in himself to propel the Packers to a 34-7 win over the lowly Buffalo Bills.
Promising tight end Jermichael Finley caught four passes for 103 yards, and the Packers used a combination of John Kuhn, Brandon Jackson and Rodgers to rush for 91 yards and two scores.
Matthews continued his hot start with another three sacks of Bills quarterback Trent Edwards.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (19/29 for 255 yards and 2 TD's; 20 yards rushing and 1 TD)
Defensive MVP: Matthews (3 sacks, 4 tackles for losses)
Record: 2-0, 1st in NFC North (tied)
Week 3: Green and Gold and Yellow on MNF
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Rundown: A matchup on Monday Night Football between two 2-0 teams in the NFC North turned out to be decided by the guys wearing black and white.
While a close game throughout, the Packers committed a franchise record 18 penalties for 152 yards and the Bears won 20-17 on a 19-yard Robbie Gould field goal with four seconds remaining.
Rodgers completed 34 passes for 316 yards, but a late James Jones' fumble set up the Bears' winning field goal try.
And even with the additions of Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor, the Bears weren't considered major contenders in the North with the Packers and Vikings.
With a win over Green Bay on MNF, however, Chicago provided both the division and the conference the warning sign that they were here to stay.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (34/46 for 316 yards and 1 TD, 20 yards rushing and 1 TD)
Defensive MVP: Tramon Williams (7 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for losses)
Season record: 2-1, 2nd in NFC North
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Week 4: Upstart Lions Give The Packers a Major Scare
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Rundown: The Packers beat the Detroit Lions for the 20th straight time at home, but it didn't come without a fight.
Three first half touchdown passes from Rodgers gave the Packers an early lead, and Charles Woodson's 48-yard interception return for a touchdown had seemingly put the game out of reach for Detroit.
However, behind the arm of backup quarterback Shaun Hill (331 yards), the Lions outscored the Packers in the second half and had the ball in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead.
The Packers defense provided a late stop, and the much-maligned running game milked the rest of the clock to preserve Green Bay's 28-26 win.
Despite the win, middle linebacker Nick Barnett and rookie safety Morgan Burnett were added to the Packers' IR list after sustaining season-ending injuries.
Offensive MVP: John Kuhn (9 carries, 39 yards, 3 first down carries on final drive)
Defensive MVP: Woodson (team-leading 13 tackles, INT return for TD)
Record: 3-1, 2nd in NFC North (tied)
Week 5: Missed Opportunities Bring The Packers Back Down to Earth
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Rundown: The Packers led by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, but the Washington Redskins rallied back to send the game into overtime.
Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb found Anthony Armstrong for a 48-yard touchdown and kicker Graham Gano tied the game at 13 with 1:07 left.
The Packers had their chances to win the game, however. Despite losing the lead late in the game, Green Bay set up a 52-yard field goal that Mason Crosby subsequently missed with no time remaining.
Once in overtime, the Packers offense also had two chances to score points, but a Rodgers' interception in Packers territory set up Washington's 33-yard field goal to win the game, 16-13.
To make matters worse, Rodgers suffered a concussion on the final play and Finley was forced out of the game with a knee injury. Rodgers would recover, but Finley wouldn't play another down for the Packers in 2010.
Offensive MVP: Brandon Jackson (115 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving)
Defensive MVP: Desmond Bishop (team-leading 13 tackles, 1 sack)
Record: 3-2, 2nd in NFC North
Week 6: Another Overtime Loss Drops The Packers to .500
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Rundown: Rodgers passed his concussion testing prior to the game, but the Packers as a whole failed in keeping their season record above .500.
The Packers fell behind the Miami Dolphins three separate times in the game, but the offense led the comeback each time. Rodgers' one-yard touchdown run on fourth down tied the score at 20 with 13 seconds remaining.
However, once overtime started, the Packers offense again failed to find a rhythm and went three-and-out on their only possession.
The Dolphins, on the other hand, made the most of their second offensive opportunity in overtime and delivered a 44-yard game-winning field goal.
At 3-3, the Packers' once-promising 2010 season was at a crossroads.
Offensive MVP: Jennings (6 receptions, 133 yards and 1 TD)
Defensive MVP: A.J. Hawk (13 tackles)
Record: 3-3, 2nd in NFC North
Week 7: Packers Revive Their Season By Exorcizing an Old Demon
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Rundown: While the Packers were stuck in neutral at .500, the Minnesota Vikings were in absolute panic-mode after starting the season 2-3.
The other storylines were already in place with Brett Favre starting his second game at Lambeau Field as a member of the Vikings, and Green Bay and Minnesota staged another classic in the rivalry between the two clubs.
A touchdown run from Brandon Jackson was followed by passing scores to Andrew Quarless and Greg Jennings, but Desmond Bishop's interception of Favre for a touchdown in the third quarter gave the Packers all the cushion they needed.
It was farther from a comfortable cushion, however. Favre led the Vikings back, finding newly acquired Randy Moss for a touchdown, and then nearly hooking up with Percy Harvin for a game-winning touchdown on the Vikings' final possession.
However, Favre's last gasp attempt sailed high for Moss, and the Packers' season was brought back from the dead with a 28-24 win.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (21/34 for 295 yards and 2 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Bishop (5 tackles, INT return for a TD)
Record: 4-3, 1st in NFC North (tied)
Week 8: The Defense's Finest Hour
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Rundown: With a 5-1 record and a highly touted defense, the New York Jets looked like one of the better teams in the NFL.
Once in the New Meadowlands, however, the Packers proved their defense was worthy of some talk as well.
Green Bay's defense shut out the Jets, and Mason Crosby provided the Packers all the points they needed with three field goals as Green Bay beat New York 9-0.
On a day when Rodgers completed just 44 percent of his passes and the Packers were 2-of-14 on third down, the defense showed they could be counted on to win games.
Offensive MVP: Jennings (6 receptions, 81 yards)
Defensive MVP: All 11 starters (0 points allowed, 3 turnovers)
Record: 5-3, 1st in NFC North
Week 9: All Three Phases Find Their Groove in a Blowout
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Rundown: The Dallas Cowboys were in the midst of a terrible start to their season, but even the most pessimistic observers couldn't have predicted the beatdown they were about to receive at Lambeau Field.
The Packers scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams, and Green Bay routed Dallas 45-7 in coach Wade Phillips' final stand as Cowboys coach.
Rodgers threw for three touchdown passes, Matthews returned an interception for a touchdown and Nick Collins picked up a Dallas fumble during a kick return for another touchdown.
Overall, it was both a showing of how far the Cowboys had sunk and how good the Packers could be when everything clicked.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (27/34 for 289 yards and 3 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Matthews (4 tackles, 1 sack, INT return for TD)
Record: 6-3, First in NFC North
Week 11: Packers Shut The Door on Rival's Season
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Rundown: Many thought the Vikings would put their best foot forward in their most important game of the season, but the Packers blew away Minnesota after a shaky start.
The Vikings got out to an early 3-0 lead with the Packers floundering on offense, but once the second quarter started, Minnesota's season ended.
The Packers rattled off 31 straight points, including four touchdown passes from Rodgers, and Green Bay put an emphatic end to the Vikings' sinking playoff hopes with a 31-3 win.
With the win, Rodgers had finally shown why the Packers decided to keep him in the summer of 2008, and Favre again put forth a miserable performance for Minnesota.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (22/31 for 301 yards and 4 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Tramon Williams (1 tackle, 2 pass defensed, 1 INT)
Record: 7-3, First in NFC North (tied)
Week 12: Another Tough Loss, But a Valuable Learning Tool
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Rundown: A midseason battle between two of the NFC's better teams certainly had a playoff-type feel, but the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of a late special teams blunder to end the Packers' four game winning streak.
Rodgers' fourth down touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson tied the game at 17 with under 90 seconds remaining after a see-saw battle throughout much of the contest.
On the ensuing kickoff, however, Falcons returner Eric Weems bolted through the Packers' coverage unit, and a 15-yard facemask penalty put the Falcons' at the Packers' 49-yard line.
Matt Ryan put the Falcons in field goal range, and Matt Bryant was true on a 47-yard field goal with nine seconds left to give Atlanta a 20-17 win.
It was a disheartening loss for the Packers, but the experience in the Georgia Dome proved invaluable later in the season.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (26/35 for 344 yards and 1 TD)
Defensive MVP: Frank Zombo (7 tackles, 1 sack)
Record: 7-4, 2nd in NFC North
Week 13: A Rookie and Veteran Lift The Packers
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Rundown: Every Packers' fan had high hopes for rookie running back James Starks, and his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers lived up to the expectations.
Starks carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards, displaying the burst and vision the Packers' offense had lacked since losing Ryan Grant in the season opener.
However, the rookie was to be outdone by one of the Packers' oldest players: Donald Driver.
The 12-year pro caught a wide open pass in the third quarter, then left a trail of defenders in his wake on an inspiring 61-yard touchdown pass.
It turned out to be one of the signature moments in the Packers season, and a rare electrifying moment in an injury plague season for Driver.
On the heels of Starks and Driver, the Packers easily defeated the 49ers 34-16.
Offensive MVP: Jennings (6 catches, 122 yards, 2 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Cullen Jenkins (2 tackles, 2 sacks)
Record: 8-4, 2nd in NFC North
Week 14: Lions Upset Puts The Packers Season in Danger
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Rundown: The Packers were 8-4 and the Lions 2-10, but the NFL proved once again that on any given Sunday, any team can beat any team.
The Lions bruised and battered Rodgers, and on a scramble in the second quarter, the Packers quarterback suffered his second concussion of the season.
Backup Matt Flynn was unable to rally the Packers in the second half, and Green Bay fell to Detroit by a score of 7-3.
The loss put the Packers' playoff aspirations in serious jeopardy, and the lingering affects of Rodgers' concussion would put his playing status for the rest of the season in the air.
Offensive MVP: N/A
Defensive MVP: Ryan Pickett (9 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for losses)
Record: 8-5, 2nd in NFC North
Week 15: The Most Important Loss of The Season
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Rundown: It was Sunday Night Football, against one of the NFL's best and hottest teams in the New England Patriots, and Matt Flynn was going to be the Packers starting quarterback.
Yet despite being an almost two touchdown underdog with Rodgers sidelined, the Packers held three separate leads and Flynn played as well as anyone could have expected him to.
However, Dan Connolly's 71-yard kick return set up one Patriots' touchdown, and Kyle Arrington's 31-yard interception return for a touchdown gave New England the spark they needed.
In the end, the Patriots would come away a 31-27 winner, but the Packers were provided the springboard they needed for the rest of their season.
Green Bay wouldn't lose another game.
Offensive MVP: Flynn (24/37 for 251 yards and 3 TD's)
Defensive MVP: B.J. Raji (4 tackles, 2 sacks)
Record: 8-6, 2nd in NFC North
Week 16: Part I Accomplished
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Rundown: The Packers' mission for the playoffs was simple: Win the next two games and you're in.
In impressive form, Green Bay emphatically checked off part one of that mission with 45-17 win over the also playoff hungry New York Giants.
Rodgers put together one of his finest regular season performances of his career, throwing for 404 yards and four touchdowns, and the Packers offense had 515 total yards.
The defense also did their part. The Packers turned over the Giants offense six times, including four Eli Manning interceptions.
While the division title was out of reach, the win set the Packers up with a chance to go to the playoffs with a win over the NFC North champion Bears.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (25/37 for 404 yards and 4 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Hawk (6 tackles, INT, 2 passes defensed)
Record: 9-6, 2nd in NFC North
Week 17: Playoff Bound Packers
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Rundown: It wasn't pretty or flashy, but the Packers' 10-3 win over the Bears clinched the No. 6 seed in the playoffs for Green Bay.
The offense struggled early on, and the Packers were held without a point until 2:39 left in the third quarter when Mason Crosby hit a 23-yard field goal.
Later on, Green Bay took the lead for good when Rodgers found Donald Lee from 1-yard out, but it didn't end without some high drama at Lambeau Field.
Down seven points and the clock running out, Jay Cutler and Bears were driving down the field for the potential tying score.
After getting into Packers' territory, however, Cutler sailed a pass to Devin Hester and Nick Collins intercepted it to preserve Green Bay's place in the playoffs.
Offensive MVP: Jennings (4 receptions, 97 yards)
Defensive MVP: Erik Walden (11 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 tackles for losses)
Record: 10-6, 2nd in NFC North
NFC Wild Card: Packers Survive The Eagles Late Charge
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Rundown: The Packers offense relied on James Starks early and often, and the rookie running back delivered all game.
Starks rushed for 123 yards—a Packers rookie playoff record—and Rodgers threw three touchdowns to secure Green Bay's first playoff victory since a Jan. 2008 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The win didn't come without a dramatic ending, however. Down just five points, 21-16, Michael Vick and the Eagles offense had a chance to win the game in the final minutes.
An electrifying completion to Desean Jackson put the Eagles in striking range, but Tramon Williams' interception in the endzone staved off the comeback attempt.
The Packers were moving on to Atlanta to face the NFC's No. 1 seed in a rematch of their Week 12 loss.
Offensive MVP: Starks (123 yards rushing)
Defensive MVP: Williams (game-winning INT)
Record: 11-6
NFC Divisional: Green Bay Marches Through Atlanta in a Surprising Blowout
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Rundown: In the early goings, the Packers clearly looked like the No. 6 seed and the Falcons the No. 1.
Once Green Bay settled down, however, it was also clear that Atlanta was no match for the red-hot Packers.
Michael Turner had a rushing touchdown and Eric Weems burned the Packers again on a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Packers went on to score the game's next 35 points.
Rodgers had one of the more impressive passing showings in NFL postseason history, completing 31 passes for 366 yards and three touchdowns, and the Packers went on to beat the Falcons 48-21.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (31/36 for 366 yards and 3 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Williams (2 INT's, 1 INT return for touchdown)
Record: 12-6
NFC Championship: Packers Hold off Bears to Advance To The Super Bowl
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Rundown: The Packers and Bears had only met in the playoffs once before (a Chicago win), but Green Bay repaid the favor in full during the NFC Championship game.
The Packers raced out to an early 14-0 lead on the back of Rodgers, who ran in the first touchdown and set up James Starks' four yard plunge by torching the Bears' secondary for most of the first half.
However, things started to turn around for the Bears once Jay Cutler and Todd Collins went out of game. Third string quarterback Caleb Hanie drove Chicago to two touchdowns and had a chance to tie in the fourth quarter.
Yet Hanie's biggest mistake of the day went to the Packers' biggest defender when B.J. Raji intercepted Hanie and returned it 18 yards for what turned out to be the game-winning points.
Rookie cornerback Sam Shields then sealed the Packers first NFC Championship since 1997 with an interception with under a half minute to go in the fourth quarter.
Offensive MVP: Jennings (8 receptions, 130 yards)
Defensive MVP: Shields (2 INT's, 1 sack, 2 passes defensed)
Record: 13-6
Super Bowl XLV: Packers Win Their Fourth Super Bowl Championship
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Rundown: Facing a Pittsburgh Steelers team who had won two Super Bowls in the past five seasons, many thought the Packers' inexperience on the game's biggest stage would be their undoing.
Many had forgotten that this Packers' team had already been through much worse this season.
Green Bay raced out to an early 21-3 lead, looking much more like the team with the experience, then the resilient Packers once again held on for 31-25 victory.
It was a fitting ending to the script of the Packers 2010-2011 season, as Green Bay lost emotional leaders Charles Woodson and Donald Driver to injury in the first half.
The Packers, like they had all season, found a way to preserve through the adversity.
When it was all said and done, the Green Bay Packers were once again world champions, adding another trophy to their NFL-record 13 championships.
Offensive MVP: Rodgers (24/39, 304 yards and 3 TD's)
Defensive MVP: Collins (4 tackles, INT return for a TD)
Final record: 14-6
Looking Back
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Looking back on the Packers' season, it really has been a magical ride.
Remember back to the preseason and beating the Colts 59-24? That's when all the preseason hype hit its peak.
What about when the Packers raced out to a 20-3 lead on the Eagles on opening weekend? I remember sitting back and saying, "Whoa."
Maybe you remember that sinking feeling when the Dolphins' field goal sailed through the uprights in overtime. At 3-3, the sky was most definitely falling.
Possibly you'll remember beating the Vikings twice this season. Whether you saw it as revenge on Favre or two quality division wins, it really will be hard to forget.
Or maybe the deepest sting of the season for you was the back-to-back losses to Detroit and New England. Would the Packers have won the Super Bowl without those two losses though?
Remember back to the overwhelming feeling when Nick Collins intercepted Cutler in Week 17. The Packers were going to the playoffs. Did anything else matter?
But of course, everyone will remember the Packers' playoff run, and you should. You may never see another run like the Packers had this postseason again—that's how special it really was.
Because remember back to 2008. The Green Bay Packers fan base was as divided as it has ever been in the history of the franchise.
Our faithful were quickly turning into Jets fans, Favre fans, and in a year, they were fans of the Vikings. Can you think of anything more tragic than that?
Fast forward to this season.
Sure, there were plenty of fans who were done with coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson after the Packers' slow start. It's only natural to feel disappointment when given hype isn't being lived up to.
However, throughout the final two weeks of the regular season and the entire playoff run, the Green Bay Packers reunited.
Every single member of the organization came together and persevered through everything that was thrown their way.
In the end, the Packers were once again on top of the football world and bringing the Lombardi Trophy home to Titletown.
Then, 50,000 or more fans packed Lambeau Field the next Tuesday in unbearable temperatures to cheer on their teams' championship.
It was more than just a celebration, however. After everything this organization has been through, and everything us as fans have been through, this was a symbol of everything in Green Bay, Wisconsin returning to normal.
The Green Bay Packers as world champions, and a united fanbase that cherishes the Lombardi Trophy more than any sports franchise in the world cherishes a championship.
Congratulations to every part of the Packers organization—players, coaches, staff, and just as importantly, us fans.
Always remember the 2010-2011 season, because we are all Super Bowl Champions.
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