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
+ 2011 Green Bay Packers NFL Draft selections Draft order Player name Position Height Weight College Round Choice 1 32 Derek Sherrod Offensive Tackle 6'5" 321 lb Mississippi St. 2 64 Randall Cobb Wide Receiver 5'11" 188 lb Kentucky 3 96 Alex Green Running back 6'2" 230 lb Hawaii 4 131 Davon House Defensive back 6'1" 200 lb New Mexico St. 5 141 (from SF through DEN) D. J. Williams Tight end 6'2" 245 lb Arkansas 6 179 (from MIA) Caleb Schlauderaff Guard 6'4" 305 lb Utah 6 186 (from PHI through DET and DEN) D. J. Smith Linebacker 5'11" 239 lb Appalachian State 6 197 Ricky Elmore Defensive end 6'5" 255 lb Arizona 7 218 (from JAC through MIA) Ryan Taylor Tight end 6'3" 254 lb North Carolina 7 233  Lawrence Guy Defensive tackle 6'4" 305 lb Arizona State

Free Agents
Position  Player  Free agencytag  Date signed  2011 team RB  Brandon Jackson  UFA  28 July  Cleveland Browns FB  Korey Hall  UFA  29 July  New Orleans Saints FB  John Kuhn  UFA  31 July  Green Bay Packers WR  James Jones  UFA  31 July  Green Bay Packers WR  Brett Swain  ERFA  30 July  Green Bay Packers G  Daryn Colledge  UFA  28 July  Arizona Cardinals  C/G  Jason Spitz  UFA  28 July  Jacksonville Jaguars DE  Cullen Jenkins  UFA  30 July  Philadelphia Eagles  SS  Charlie Peprah  UFA  5 March  Green Bay Packers SS  Atari Bigby  UFA  16 August  Seattle Seahawks K  Mason Crosby  UFA  27 July  Green Bay PackersRFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent, FT: Franchise Tag

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
POSNameGSNameGSNameGSQBAaron Rodgers  15  Matt Flynn  1  RB Ryan Grant  14  James Starks   2   FB John Kuhn  16     WRDonald Driver  15  Jordy Nelson   1   WRGreg Jennings  13  Jordy Nelson  3  TE Jermichael Finley   16       LTMarshall Newhouse  9  Chad Clifton  6  T. J. Lang  1LG T. J. Lang  15  Evan Dietrich-Smith    1   CScott Wells  16     RGJosh Sitton  14  Evan Dietrich-Smith  2  RT Bryan Bulaga  12  Marshall Newhouse   4    

Starters on Defense and Special Teams
POSNameGSNameGSNameGSNameGSLDERyan Pickett    14  C. J. Wilson  2     NT B. J. Raji  16       RDEJarius Wynn  15  Howard Green  1      LOLB Clay Matthews    15  Vic So'oto    1    MLB Desmond Bishop  13  Robert Francois  2  D. J. Smith  1  MLBA. J. Hawk  14  D.J. Smith    2    ROLB Erik Walden   16             RCB Tramon Williams   14  Sam Shields  2    LCBCharles Woodson  15  Sam Shields  1    SS Morgan Burnett  16         FSCharlie Peprah    14  Nick Collins 10px   2    KMason Crosby  16      P Tim Masthay  16      

Schedule
Preseason
 Week  Date  Kickoff  Opponent  Results  Game site  TV  NFL.comrecap Final score  Team record 1 August 13 6:30 p.m. CDT at Cleveland Browns L 17–27 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium State Recap 2 August 19 7:00 p.m. CDT Arizona Cardinals W 28–20 1–1 Lambeau Field State Recap 3 August 26 7:00 p.m. CDT at Indianapolis Colts W 24–21 2–1 Lucas Oil Stadium CBS Recap 4 September 1 7:00 p.m. CDT Kansas City Chiefs W 20–19 3–1 Lambeau Field State Recap

Regular season

 Week  Date  Kickoff  Opponent  Results  Game site  TV  NFL.comrecap Final score  Team record 1 September 8  7:30 p.m. CDT New Orleans Saints W 42–34 1–0 Lambeau Field NBC Recap 2 September 18  12:00 p.m. CDT at Carolina Panthers W 30–23 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Fox Recap 3 September 25  3:15 p.m. CDT at Chicago Bears W 27–17 3–0 Soldier Field Fox Recap 4 October 2 3:15 p.m. CDT Denver Broncos W 49–23 4–0 Lambeau Field CBS Recap 5 October 9 7:20 p.m. CDT at Atlanta Falcons W 25–14 5–0 Georgia Dome NBC Recap 6 October 16 12:00 p.m. CDT St. Louis RamsW 38–3 6–0 Lambeau Field Fox Recap 7 October 23 3:15 p.m. CDT at Minnesota Vikings W 33–27 7–0 Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Fox Recap 8 Bye 9 November 6 3:15 p.m. CST at San Diego Chargers W 45–38 8–0                                  Qualcomm Stadium Fox Recap 10 November 14 7:30 p.m. CST Minnesota Vikings W 45–0 9–0 Lambeau Field ESPN Recap 11 November 20 12:00 p.m. CST Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 35–26 10–0 Lambeau Field Fox Recap 12 November 24 11:30 a.m. CST at Detroit Lions W 27–15   11–0 Ford Field Fox Recap 13 December 4 3:15 p.m. CST at New York Giants W 38–35 12–0 MetLife Stadium Fox Recap 14 December 11 3:15 p.m. CST Oakland Raiders W 46–7 13–0 Lambeau Field CBS Recap 15 December 18 12:00 p.m. CST at Kansas City Chiefs L 14–19 13–1 Arrowhead Stadium Fox Recap 16 December 25 7:20 p.m. CST Chicago Bears W 35–21 14–1 Lambeau Field NBC Recap 17 January 1 12:00 p.m. CST Detroit Lions W 45–41 15–1 Lambeau Field Fox Recap

Postseason
 Week  Date  Kickoff  Opponent  Results  Game site  TV  NFL.comrecap Final score  Team record NFC Wild Card First-round bye NFC Divisional January 15  3:30 p.m. CST  New York Giants  L 20-37  15–2  Lambeau Field  Fox  Recap

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
 Playoff Round  Date  Kickoff  Opponent (seed)  Result  Game Site  NFL Recap  TV Wild Card First-round bye Divisional January 15 3:15 CDT New York Giants (4) L 20-37 Lambeau Field Recap Fox

NFC Divisional Round: vs. New York Giants

Statistics
Regular season statistical leaders
  Player(s)  Value  NFL Rank NFC Rank Passing Yards  Aaron Rodgers  4643 Yards  5th  4th Passing Touchdowns  Aaron Rodgers   45 TDs  2nd  2nd Rushing Yards  James Starks   578 Yards  38th  18th Rushing Touchdowns  John Kuhn    4 TDs  T-31st T-16th Receiving Yards  Jordy Nelson   1263 Yards  9th  7th Receiving Touchdowns  Jordy Nelson  15 TDs  3rd  2nd Points  Mason Crosby  140 Points  4th  3rd Kickoff Return Yards  Randall Cobb   941 Yards  7th  4th Punt Return Yards  Randall Cobb  295 Yards  18th  8th  Tackles Desmond Bishop   115 Tackles  T-13th  T-7th Sacks  Clay Matthews  6 Sacks  T-48th T-26th Interceptions  Charles Woodson  7 INTs  T-1st  1st

 stats values are correct through Week 17. 

Best game performances

  Player(s)  Value  Opponent  Passing Yards  Matt Flynn  480 Yards  Detroit Lions Passing Touchdowns  Matt Flynn   6 TDs  Detroit Lions Rushing Yards  Ryan Grant   92 Yards  Chicago Bears Rushing Touchdowns  Aaron Rodgers    2 TDs  Denver Broncos Receiving Yards  Jordy Nelson    162 Yards  Detroit Lions Receiving Touchdowns Jermichael Finley  3 TDs  @ Chicago Bears Receiving Touchdowns  Jordy Nelson  3 TDs  Detroit Lions Points  Jermichael Finley  18 Points  @ Chicago Bears Points  Jordy Nelson  18 Points  Detroit Lions Tackles  Morgan Burnett   14 Tackles   New Orleans Saints  Tackles  Desmond Bishop   14 Tackles   St Louis Rams  Sacks  Jarius Wynn  2 Sacks   @ Chicago Bears Sacks  Clay Matthews  2 Sacks   @ Minnesota Vikings Interceptions  Morgan Burnett  2 INTs  @ Chicago Bears Interceptions  Charles Woodson  2 INTs  @ Carolina Panthers and @ Minnesota Vikings  Interceptions  Charlie Peprah  2 INTs  @ San Diego Chargers Interceptions  Tramon Williams  2 INTs  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 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

Position  Player  Team QB  Aaron Rodgers Starter FB  John Kuhn  Starter WR  Greg Jennings  Reserve C  Scott Wells  Reserve DT  B.J. Raji  Reserve LB  Clay Matthews  Starter CB  Charles Woodson  Starter

Notes and references

Other websites
2011 Green Bay Packers season at ESPN

Category:National Football League seasons
Category:Green Bay Packers
Category:2011 in American sports
Category:2010s in Wisconsin
Category:Green Bay Packers seasons