2002 Green Bay Packers season During the 2002 Green Bay Packers season , the team completed a 12 - 4 regular season with before losing in the Wild Card playoff round to Michael Vick ' s Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field . It marked the first time in NFL history that the Packers had lost at home in the playoffs . In 2001 , the Packers achieved the franchise ’ s best record since 1997 , finishing 12 - 4 and advancing the divisional round of the playoffs . There the Packers lost to the eventual NFC champion St . Louis Rams . During the game , it became clear that the Packers would need wide receivers with greater speed and ability to compete with the conference ’ s best teams . GM Mike Sherman spent the 2002 offseason revamping Green Bay ’ s receiving corps . The team promoted Donald Driver to starter , acquired veteran Terry Glenn from the New England Patriots , and drafted Javon Walker in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft . The influx of new players seemed to position the Packers as one of the strongest contenders in the NFC . Green Bay started the season with a dominating 8 - 1 record , led by the brilliant play of quarterback Brett Favre and power running game of Ahman Green . The Packers maintained a commanding division lead throughout the year , winning the NFC North by a six - game margin . Green Bay became the first team to win the newly rechristened division , formerly known as the NFC Central . It was the Packers ’ first division title since 1997 , and the team would win the NFC North for three consecutive seasons . For the first time in years , it appeared that the Packers had a legitimate chance of reaching the Super Bowl . With one game left , Green Bay was 12 - 3 , and a victory away from clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs . The Packers had never lost a home playoff game in franchise history , had achieved an 8 - 0 record at home in 2002 , and had established a run of Lambeau Field dominance since the Mike Holmgren era . As a result , playing home games at Lambeau Field would seemingly give the Packers a significant advantage in the playoffs . The final game was on the road against the New York Jets , who beat the Packers ’ handily to win the AFC East division title . The loss was a devastating blow to the Packers . The team was bumped down to a number three seed in the NFC , and had an incredibly difficult road to the Super Bowl . Six days later , the Packers were beaten by Michael Vick ’ s Atlanta Falcons , the first home playoff loss in Packers history . The 2002 season was another memorable year for quarterback Brett Favre . Throughout the season , Favre was a favorite to win his fourth Most Valuable Player award . The Packers ’ lopsided loss to the Jets in the regular season finale may have swayed voters , as Favre lost the MVP award by merely two votes to Raiders ’ quarterback Rich Gannon . Offseason . 2002 NFL draft . In the 2002 NFL draft , the Packers selected 20th overall , drafting future all - pro wide receiver Javon Walker with their first round pick . " Players highlighted in yellow indicate players selected to the Pro Bowl during their NFL career . " Schedule . The Packers finished 12 - 4 overall , winning the NFC North crown by a six game margin .