2011 Green Bay Packers season

The 2011 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise's 91st season in the National Football League, the 93rd season overall and the sixth under head coach Mike McCarthy.

They were the defending Super Bowl 45 champions after they won against the Steelers 31-25. They not only improved from their 10-6 record but also became the sixth team to win at least 15 games. Like the 2009 Saints, 2005 Colts, and the 1998 Broncos, they won the first 13 games of the season and lost the next game. The 2009 Saints and the 1998 Broncos won their Super Bowls at that time.

Even though they had a 15-1 record, they did not repeat, because they lost to the New York Giants 37-20 in the divisional rounds.

Offseason

After finishing the 2010 regular season with a 10–6 record, the Packers went 4–0 in the postseason en route to winning Super Bowl XLV. As a result, the Packers received the final selection (32nd) in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

2011 NFL Draft

Free Agents

Additions
On July 28, WR Diondre Borel, S Anthony Bratton, G/T Ray Dominguez, WR Tori Gurley, S M.D. Jennings, LB Ricky Elmore, C Sampson Genus, WR Shaky Smithson, FB Jon Hoese, LB Jamari Lattimore, DE Eli Joseph, LB Vic So'oto, CB Brandian Ross, RB Brandon Saine, and WR Kerry Taylor were signed to a contract as undrafted free agents.
On July 29, LB Elijah Joseph and NT Chris Donaldson were signed to  contract as undrafted free agents.
On August 3, LB K.C. Asiodu was signed to a contract.
On September 4, QB Graham Harrell, RB Brandon Saine, WR Diondre Borel, WR Chastin West, G/T Ray Dominguez, CB Brandian Ross, C Sampson Genus and WR Tori Gurley were signed to the practice squad a day after they were all cut from the active roster and cleared waivers.

Departures
On March 2, LB A. J. Hawk, TE Donald Lee and S Derrick Martin were released. Hawk was resigned the following day.
On July 27, LB Nick Barnett, LB Brandon Chillar, DE Justin Harrell, LB Brady Poppinga and T Mark Tauscher were released. S Michael Greco and LB Curtis Young were waived.
On August 15, LB Diyral Briggs was released.
On August 28, TE Spencer Havner, WR Brett Swain, and T Theo Sherman were released.
On August 30, WR Antonio Robinson, LB K.C. Asiodu, and G Adrian Battles were released.
On September 3, WR Diondre Borel, S Anthony Bratton, T Chris Campbell, G/T Ray Dominguez, NT Chris Donaldson, WR Tori Gurley, S Anthony Levine, LB Ricky Elmore, C Sampson Genus, CB Josh Gordy, QB Graham Harrell, FB Jon Hoese, LB Cardia Jackson, DE Eli Joseph, LB Elijah Joseph, C/G Nick McDonald, RB Dimitri Nance, CB Brandian Ross, NT Jay Ross, RB Brandon Saine, WR Kerry Taylor, WR Chastin West, and S/CB Brandon Underwood were released.
On September 3, FB Quinn Johnson was traded to the Tennessee Titans for an undisclosed draft pick.
On September 3, G Caleb Schlauderaff was traded to the New York Jets for an undisclosed draft pick.

Training Camp and Preseason Injuries
On September 3, DE Lawrence Guy and WR Shaky Smithson were placed on injured reserve.

Coaching Changes
On February 11, Wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to become their Assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.
On February 21, Assistant strength and conditioning coach Dave Redding retired.
On February 22, Zac Woodfin was named Assistant strength and conditioning coach.
On February 25, Running backs coach Edgar Bennett was moved to Wide receiver coach, Offensive line assistant Jerry Fontenot was promoted to Running backs coach, offensive quality control coach John Rushing was promoted to a combined role of assistant wide receivers coach-special teams coach and hired Joel Hilgenberg as offensive quality control coach.

Regular Season
Regular Season Transactions
On September 20, WR Chastin West was signed off the practice squad by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On September 21, NT/DE Johnny Jones was signed to the practice squad.
On October 12, G/T Ray Dominguez was signed to the active roster from the practice squad and S Nick Collins was placed on injured reserve.
On October 13, C/G Cecil Newton was signed to the practice squad.
On October 31, RB Brandon Saine was signed to the active roster from the practice squad, RB Alex Green was placed on injured reserve, C/G Cecil Newton was released from the practice squad, and S Anthony Levine and C/G Paul Fenaroli were signed to the practice squad.
On November 8, T Chris Campbell was signed to the practice squad and C/G Paul Fenaroli was released from the practice squad.
On December 7, QB Graham Harrell was signed to the active roster from the practice squad, TE Andrew Quarless was placed on injured reserve, and G Jake Vermiglio was signed to the practice squad.
On December 15, FB Jon Hoese was signed to the practice squad and G Jake Vermiglio was released from the practice squad.
On December 22, T Herb Taylor was signed and T Derek Sherrod was placed on injured reserve.

Starters on Offense

Starters on Defense and Special Teams

Schedule

Preseason

Regular season

Postseason

Standings

Regular Season Results

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints

The Packers started their 2011 season by taking on the Saints, the Super Bowl 44 champions. Randall Cobb not only caught his first career touchdown pass in the first quarter, but also returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers has completed 27 of 35 pass attempts for 312 yards, 3 touchdown passes, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 132.1. With the Packers win, they began 1-0.

Week 2: at Carolina Panthers

Week 3: at Chicago Bears

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 6: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 9: at San Diego Chargers

Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Thanksgiving Classic

Week 13: at New York Giants

In a close win 38-35, the Packers improved to 12-0 as Mason Crosby kicked a game winning field goal with 3 seconds left.

Week 14: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 15: at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs stopped the Packers perfect season run in an upset win for Kansas City, making the Packers fall to 13-1.

Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears
Christmas Day

Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions

Aaron Rodgers was not playing in the game, as he was rested. Brad Jones restrained a fan running on the field during the game.

Postseason (Playoffs)

Schedule

NFC Divisional Round: vs. New York Giants

Statistics

Regular season statistical leaders

 stats values are correct through Week 17.

Best game performances

 stats are correct through Week 17.

Statistical league rankings
Total Offense (YPG): 3rd
Passing (YPG): 3rd
Rushing (YPG): 27th
Points (PPG): 1st
Total Defense (YPG): 32nd
Passing (YPG): 32nd
Rushing (YPG): 14th
Points (PPG): 19th
Stats correct through week 17.

Awards and records

Awards

Weekly awards
QB Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played on Week 1. (vs. Saints)
WR Randall Cobb was named NFL's Pepsi Rookie of the Week for games played on Week 1. (vs. Saints)
OLB Clay Matthews was named GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week for his contributions to the goal line stand on Week 1. (vs. Saints)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 4. (vs. Broncos)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played on Week 5. (vs. Falcons)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 5. (vs. Falcons)
K Mason Crosby was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played on Week 5. (vs. Falcons)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 6. (vs. Rams)
K Mason Crosby was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played on Week 7. (vs. Vikings)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 7. (vs. Vikings)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played on Week 9. (vs. Chargers)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 9. (vs. Chargers)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 13. (vs. Giants)
QB Aaron Rodgers was named GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week for his contributions to the game winning drive on Week 13. (vs. Giants)
P Tim Masthay was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played on Week 13. (vs. Giants)
QB Matt Flynn was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played on Week 17. (vs. Lions)
QB Matt Flynn was named FedEx Air Player of the Week for games played on Week 17. (vs. Lions)
QB Matt Flynn was named GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week for his contributions to his record setting performance in relief of Aaron Rodgers on Week 17. (vs. Lions)

Monthly awards
 QB Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the month of September.
 QB Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the month of October.
 QB Aaron Rodgers was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the month of November.

Annual awards
QB Aaron Rodgers was named AP Male Athlete of the Year(2011).
QB Aaron Rodgers was named AP Most Valuable Player

Records

Team

Game

Season

 Packers record for Most Consecutive Games Won with 19 (Wk 15 2010 - Wk 14 2011) passing the previous best marks of 11 in 1928-29 and 1961-62.
 Packers record for Most Consecutive Games Won, Season with 13 (Wk 1 - Wk 14) passing the previous best mark of 10 in 1929 and 1962.
 Packers record for Most Games Won, Regular Season with 15 passing the previous best mark of 13 in 1962, 1996, 1997 and 2007.
 Packers record for Most Consecutive Games Won, Start of Season with 13 passing the previous best mark of 10 in 1929 and 1962.
 Packers record for Most Consecutive Games Without Defeat, Season with 13 (13 wins, 0 ties) passing the previous best mark of 13 (12 wins,  1 tie) in 1929.
 Packers record for Most Consecutive Games Without Defeat, Start of Season with 13 (13 wins, 0 ties) passing the previous best mark of 13 (12 wins,  1 tie) in 1929.
 Packers record for Most Points, Season with 560 points passing the previous best mark of 461 in 2009.
 Packers record for Most Overall Touchdowns, Season with 70 passing the previous best mark of 56 in 1996.
 Packers record for Most Yards Gained, Season with 6,482 yards passing the previous best mark of 6,357 in 2004.

Individual

Game
QB Aaron Rodgers became the first quarterback in NFL history to post 400 yards passing, four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in a game against the Denver Broncos on October 2, 2011.
QB Matt Flynn Broke the Packers record of Most Touchdown Passes, Game with 6 vs the Detroit Lions January 1, 2012. The Previous record holders were Cecil Bell, Don Horn, Lynn Dickey, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers.
QB Matt Flynn Broke the Packers Record of Most Passing Yards, Game with 480 Yards vs the Detroit Lions on January 1, 2012. The previous record holder was Aaron Rodgers.
 K Mason Crosby successfully converted a team record 58-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings on October 23, 2011. The previous record was 56, set by Crosby himself.

Season
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the Packers record for Single Season Passer Rating with a rating of 122.5. Bart Starr had the previous best with a rating of 105.0.
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the NFL record for Single Season Passer Rating with a rating of 122.5. Peyton Manning had the previous best with a rating of 121.1.
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the Packers record for Highest Completion Percentage, Season (140 attempts) with 68.3%. Brett Favre had the previous best percentage with 66.54%.
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the Packers record for Most Touchdown Passes, Season with 45. Brett Favre had the previous best mark with 39.
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the Packers record for Most Yards Passing, Season with 4,643. Lynn Dickey had the previous best mark with 4,458 yards.
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the Packers record for Most Games, 300 or More Yards Passing, Season with 8. Brett Favre had the previous best mark with 7.
QB Aaron Rodgers Set the Packers record for Most Consecutive Games, 300 or More Yards Passing with 4 (Wk's 4–7). Lynn Dickey and Brett Favre both had the previous best with 3 each.
QB Aaron Rodgers Tied the Packers record for Most Consecutive Games, Four or More Touchdown Passes with Brett Favre with 2.
QB Aaron Rodgers Tied the Packers record for Highest Average Gain, Season (200 attempts) with Lynn Dickey at 9.2.
WR Randall Cobb Set the Packers record for Most Kickoff Return Yards, Rookie, Season passing Charles Wilson who had 798 yards in 1990.
K Mason Crosby Set the Packers record for Most (Kicking) PAT Attempted, Season with 69 passing Chris Jacke's best mark of 53.
K Mason Crosby Set the Packers record for Most (One-Point) Points After Touchdown, Season with 68 passing Jan Stenerud's best mark of 52.
P Tim Masthay Set the Packers record for Highest Gross Average, Punting, Season (35 punts) with 45.6 passing Craig Hentrich's best gross average of 45.0.

Career
Donald Driver set the Packers record for Career receiving yards in week 2 vs the Carolina Panthers. Passing James Lofton previous best mark of 9,656.

2012 Pro Bowl selections

Notes and references

Other websites
2011 Green Bay Packers season at ESPN

National Football League seasons
Green Bay Packers
2011 in sports
2011 in the United States
2010s in Wisconsin