# 2005 Green Bay Packers season

The 2005 season was the Green Bay Packers' 85th in the National Football League (NFL), their 87th overall and the sixth and final under head coach Mike Sherman. It would be the first season the franchise would have involving quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers failed to improve their overall record of 10–6 from 2004 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000. This would be their first losing season since 1991, as well as their worst record since said year. As of the 2024 season, this is the only season since divisional realignment the Packers finished in last place in the NFC North.
The Packers suffered injuries to wide receivers Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson and running backs Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, Tony Fisher, and Samkon Gado. As a result of the lackluster season, most of the team's coaches were fired, including head coach Mike Sherman.

## Offseason

The Packers lost veteran guards Marco Rivera (Dallas Cowboys) and Mike Wahle (Carolina Panthers) to free agency. Starting safety Darren Sharper was released by Green Bay Packers, signing with the Minnesota Vikings. With the 24th pick of the 2005 NFL draft the Green Bay Packers selected quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the second quarterback taken in the draft. Rodgers became the Packers' starting quarterback in the 2008 season after Brett Favre's trade to the New York Jets and has since become a four-time NFL MVP and he led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV.
| Additions | Subtractions |
| LB Robert Thomas (Rams) | G Marco Rivera (Cowboys) |
| G Matt O'Dwyer (Buccaneers) | G Mike Wahle (Panthers) |
| G Adrian Klemm (Patriots) | FS Darren Sharper (Vikings) |
| | LB Hannibal Navies (Bengals) |
| | CB Michael Hawthorne (Rams) |
| | FS Bhawoh Jue (Chargers) |
| | P Bryan Barker (Rams) |

### NFL Draft

2005 Green Bay Packers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 24 | Aaron Rodgers * | Quarterback | California |
| 2 | 51 | Nick Collins * | Safety | Bethune–Cookman |
| 2 | 58 | Terrence Murphy | Wide receiver | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 115 | Marviel Underwood | Safety | San Diego State |
| 4 | 125 | Brady Poppinga | Linebacker | BYU |
| 5 | 143 | Junius Coston | Center | North Carolina A&T |
| 5 | 167 | Mike Hawkins | Cornerback | Oklahoma |
| 6 | 180 | Michael Montgomery | Defensive tackle | Texas A&M |
| 6 | 195 | Craig Bragg | Wide receiver | UCLA |
| 7 | 245 | Kurt Campbell | Cornerback | Albany (NY) |
| 7 | 246 | Will Whitticker | Guard | Michigan State |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

2005 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Bryce Benekos | Punter | UTEP |
| Vince Butler | Wide receiver | Northwestern Oklahoma State |
| Garrett Cross | Tight end | California |
| Patrick Dendy | Cornerback | Rice |
| Steve Fleming | Tight end | Arizona |
| Samkon Gado | Running back | Liberty |
| A. J. Lindsay | Defensive tackle | Temple |
| Roy Manning | Linebacker | Michigan |
| Chris Samp | Wide receiver | Winona State |
| Leigh Torrence | Cornerback | Stanford |
| Chris White | Center | Southern Miss |
| Chaz Williams | Running back | Georgia Southern |
| Zac Woodfin | Linebacker | UAB |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 11 | at Detroit Lions | L 3–17 | 0–1 | Ford Field | 61,877 |
| 2 | September 18 | Cleveland Browns | L 24–26 | 0–2 | Lambeau Field | 70,400 |
| 3 | September 25 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 16–17 | 0–3 | Lambeau Field | 70,518 |
| 4 | October 3 | at Carolina Panthers | L 29–32 | 0–4 | Bank of America Stadium | 73,657 |
| 5 | October 9 | New Orleans Saints | W 52–3 | 1–4 | Lambeau Field | 70,580 |
| 6 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 7 | October 23 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 20–23 | 1–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,278 |
| 8 | October 30 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 14–21 | 1–6 | Paul Brown Stadium | 65,940 |
| 9 | November 6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–20 | 1–7 | Lambeau Field | 70,607 |
| 10 | November 13 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 33–25 | 2–7 | Georgia Dome | 71,001 |
| 11 | November 21 | Minnesota Vikings | L 17–20 | 2–8 | Lambeau Field | 70,610 |
| 12 | November 27 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 14–19 | 2–9 | Lincoln Financial Field | 67,665 |
| 13 | December 4 | at Chicago Bears | L 7–19 | 2–10 | Soldier Field | 62,177 |
| 14 | December 11 | Detroit Lions | W 16–13 (OT) | 3–10 | Lambeau Field | 70,019 |
| 15 | December 19 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 3–48 | 3–11 | M&T Bank Stadium | 70,604 |
| 16 | December 25 | Chicago Bears | L 17–24 | 3–12 | Lambeau Field | 69,757 |
| 17 | January 1 | Seattle Seahawks | W 23–17 | 4–12 | Lambeau Field | 69,928 |

### Week 1: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lions | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: September 11
* Game time: 3:15 CDT/4:15 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 61,877
* Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Brian Baldinger, and Chris Myers
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Marcus Pollard 9-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 4:56. Lions 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:54.
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 50-yard field goal, 2:59. Lions 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 4:51.
Third quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 21-yard field goal, 8:34. Lions 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 4:44.
Fourth quarter
DET – Mike Williams 3-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Jason Hanson kick), 4:13. Lions 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:22.
Top passers
GB – Brett Favre – 27/44, 201 yards, 2 INT
DET – Joey Harrington – 15/28, 167 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
GB – Ahman Green – 12 rushes, 58 yards
DET – Kevin Jones – 25 rushes, 87 yards
Top receivers
GB – Donald Driver – 4 receptions, 48 yards
DET – Marcus Pollard – 5 receptions, 58 yards, TD :
The Packers opened the 2005 NFL season with a loss to the Detroit Lions. Starting wide receiver Javon Walker injured his right knee and did not play the rest of the season. This would be the Lions last win over the Packers until the 2010 season.

### Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 26 |
| Packers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 24 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, and Bonnie Bernstein
The Packers lost this game to the Cleveland Browns as quarterback Trent Dilfer threw for 336 yards. The Packers retired the great Reggie White's number 92 at halftime after his unexpected death in December 2004.

### Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Packers | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won this close game as Carnell Williams rushed for 158 yards. Packers kicker Ryan Longwell missed an extra point and a field goal. It was the Bucs' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1989. It was also the Packers first 0–3 start since 1988

### Week 4: at Carolina Panthers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 7 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 29 |
| Panthers | 7 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 32 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, Michele Tafoya, and Sam Ryan
The Carolina Panthers caused the worst start in 17 years for the Packers as they could not complete a fourth quarter comeback to win the game. The Packers lost promising rookie Terrence Murphy in a career ending helmet to helmet collision on a kickoff return.

### Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Packers | 14 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 52 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Brian Baldinger, and Drew Smith
After starting the season 0–4, the Packers defeat the New Orleans Saints in this blowout. Running back Najeh Davenport ended his season with an ankle injury in the second quarter. This was the largest blowout in Brett Favre's career.
This game marked the first NFL game that Aaron Rodgers played.

### Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 10 | 13 | 23 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas
The Minnesota Vikings scored 23 second-half points after being shut out 17–0 in the first half. Paul Edinger kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal as time ran out to win the game. Packers running back Ahman Green ended his season with a career-threatening knee injury.

### Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Bengals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas
Brett Favre threw five interceptions as the Cincinnati Bengals won this close game. It is also noteworthy for the fact that a fan ran onto the field in the closing moments of the 4th quarter and disrupted the game by taking the ball away from Favre.

### Week 9: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| Packers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, and Bonnie Bernstein
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who were held without a third down conversion, forced three turnovers that turned into 17 points to help them defeat the Packers. Packers running back Samkon Gado scored his first career touchdown and ended the day with 62 yards.

### Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Packers | 14 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 33 |
| Falcons | 0 | 14 | 0 | 11 | 25 |
On his 24th birthday, running back Samkon Gado made his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons and finished the day with 103 yards and three touchdowns to help the Packers win their second game of the year.

### Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| Packers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, Michele Tafoya and Sam Ryan
The Minnesota Vikings won their second game against the Packers with another field goal as time expired. The Packers had only 21 yards rushing.

### Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Eagles | 10 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Packers as backup quarterback Mike McMahon led his team to victory.

### Week 13: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Bears | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 19 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston
The Chicago Bears beat the Packers at Soldier Field for the first time since 1993.

### Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Lions | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Packers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire and Suzy Kolber
Samkon Gado helped the Packers win this overtime game over the Detroit Lions by rushing for 171 yards and a touchdown.

### Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Ravens | 14 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 48 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, and Sam Ryan
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Packers by 45 points as Kyle Boller passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.

### Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| Packers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas
The Chicago Bears sweep the Packers for the first time since 1991 with this victory.

### Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seahawks | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Packers | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee, J.C. Pearson, and Drew Smith
The Packers win their last game of the season over the Seattle Seahawks. Packer fans gave Brett Favre a standing ovation at the beginning and end of the game as it was possibly his last game, which turned out not to be the case.

## Standings

NFC North :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ Chicago Bears | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 260 | 202 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–1 | 8–4 | 306 | 344 | W1 |
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 254 | 345 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 298 | 344 | W1 |

## Season statistical leaders

* Passing yards: Brett Favre 3,881 Yards
* Passing touchdowns: Brett Favre 20 TD
* QB rating: Brett Favre, 70.9
* Rushing yards: Samkon Gado, 582 Yards
* Rushing touchdowns: Samkon Gado, 6 TD
* Receiving yards: Donald Driver, 1,221 Yards
* Receiving touchdowns: Donald Driver, 5 TD
* Points: Ryan Longwell, 90 points
* Kickoff return yards: Ahmad Carroll, 390 Yards
* Punt return yards: Antonio Chatman, 381 Yards
* Tackles: Nick Barnett, 91 Tackles
* Sacks: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, 8.0 Sacks
* Interceptions: Al Harris, 3 Interceptions

### NFC leaders

* Brett Favre, NFC leader, Attempts (607)
* Brett Favre, NFC leader, Completions (372)
* Brett Favre, NFC leader, Passing yards (3,881)
* Brett Favre, NFC leader (tied), Interceptions (29)