1996 Green Bay Packers season

The 1996 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise’s 78th overall season and their 76th in the National Football League. Coached by Mike Holmgren, the Packers finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, winning the NFC Central division and earning the top seed in the NFC playoffs.

The team advanced through the playoffs and won Super Bowl XXXI by defeating the New England Patriots 35–21. This was the Packers’ first Super Bowl victory in the Super Bowl era and the 12th NFL championship in franchise history.

 Offseason 
Green Bay entered the 1996 season with a strong core roster led by quarterback Brett Favre, running back Dorsey Levens, and a talented defense featuring Reggie White and LeRoy Butler. The team focused on building a balanced offense and maintaining consistency under coach Holmgren.

 Regular season 
The Packers dominated the NFC Central, finishing 13–3. Brett Favre threw for 3,899 yards and 39 touchdowns, earning the NFL Most Valuable Player award. The team’s defense allowed the fewest points in the division and helped secure critical victories.

 Schedule 
 Week  Date  Opponent  Result  Score  Location 1  September 1  New York Jets  W  31–27  Lambeau Field 2  September 8  Minnesota Vikings  W  29–23  Lambeau Field 3  September 15  Chicago Bears  W  27–24  Soldier Field 4  September 22  Detroit Lions  L  20–26  Lambeau Field 5  September 29  Tampa Bay Buccaneers  W  38–21  Lambeau Field 6  October 6  Minnesota Vikings  W  30–20  Metropolitan Stadium 7  October 13  Chicago Bears  W  20–14  Lambeau Field 8  October 20  Detroit Lions  W  31–21  Pontiac Silverdome 9  October 27  Atlanta Falcons  W  31–10  Lambeau Field 10  November 3  Arizona Cardinals  W  34–17  Lambeau Field 11  November 10  New Orleans Saints  L  24–28  Lambeau Field 12  November 17  Tampa Bay Buccaneers  W  21–14  Tampa Stadium 13  November 24  New York Giants  W  27–17  Lambeau Field 14  December 1  Philadelphia Eagles  W  34–7  Lambeau Field 15  December 8  Chicago Bears  W  20–14  Soldier Field 16  December 15  Detroit Lions  W  31–21  Lambeau Field 17  December 22  Minnesota Vikings  L  17–23  Lambeau Field

 Postseason 
 NFC Divisional Playoff 
The Packers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 35–14 at Candlestick Park to advance to the NFC Championship.

 NFC Championship Game 
Green Bay faced the Dallas Cowboys and won 30–13 at Texas Stadium, earning a berth in the Super Bowl.

 Super Bowl XXXI 
The Packers defeated the New England Patriots 35–21 at Superdome in New Orleans. Brett Favre threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, while Desmond Howard was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance on returns.

 Roster 
Key players included:
 QB Brett Favre
 RB Dorsey Levens
 WR Antonio Freeman
 LB Reggie White
 S LeRoy Butler

 Legacy 
The 1996 season marked the Packers’ return to NFL dominance after decades without a Super Bowl victory. Mike Holmgren’s leadership and Brett Favre’s MVP season solidified the team as one of the league’s elite franchises. The Packers would continue to remain competitive throughout the late 1990s.

 Related pages 
 Green Bay Packers
 Super Bowl XXXI
 NFC Central

Category:Green Bay Packers seasons
Green Bay Packers season
Green Bay Packers season
Category:20th century in Wisconsin