2021 Green Bay Packers season
The 2021 season was the Green Bay Packers' 101st season in the National Football League, their 103rd overall and their third under head coach Matt LaFleur. With a Week 15 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Packers won the NFC North for the third consecutive year. With their victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, they earned home field advantage, a first round bye, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. They also became the first team in NFL history to finish three consecutive seasons with 13 or more wins. Aaron Rodgers  was also named MVP for the fourth time and the second year in a row. However, their season came to an abrupt end for the third time in a row, with a 13–10 upset loss to the underdog San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round; this marked the Packers' fourth loss against the 49ers in the postseason and in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs since Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback, with it also being their second home divisional loss in the Rodgers era. Despite having the top-seed and clinching the NFC’s best record, the Packers  special teams received scrutiny during the entire season as they were ranked 32nd in the NFL by the Football Outsiders DVOA, Packer Central, and "Sports Illustrated" writer Rick Gosselin. Following the playoff loss to the 49ers, Maurice Drayton was fired as special teams coordinator. Player movements. Draft. Notes/Trades Roster cuts. The roster was cut to 53 on August 31, 2021. Preseason. The Packers' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 12. Regular season. Schedule. The first week was announced 11 hours ahead of the rest of the season on May 12. Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold  text. Game summaries. Week 1: at New Orleans Saints. The Packers start off their season with a 35-point loss to the New Orleans Saints. This took place in Jacksonville due to expected power outages to the Superdome. Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. This was the Packers' first regular season win against the Steelers since Week 17 in 1995, and their first win against them overall since Super Bowl XLV. Week 8: at Arizona Cardinals. The Packers handed the previously undefeated Cardinals their first loss of the season following a game-ending interception by cornerback Rasul Douglas. Week 16: vs.  Cleveland Browns. Christmas Day game Aaron Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre with his 443rd touchdown pass to Allen Lazard. Week 17: vs. Minnesota Vikings. The game was the coldest of the NFL season, with a game-time temperature of 11 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wind chill of 1 degree Fahrenheit. With the win, Green Bay clinched the #1 seed in the NFC for the second straight year. Postseason. As the result of clinching the NFC North division title and the best record in the NFC, the Packers hosted a playoff game in the Divisional round. Game summaries. NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs.  (6) San Francisco 49ers. Despite leading 10-3 throughout most of the game, the Packers went on to lose 13-10 to the 49ers. During the game, the special teams received scrutiny after allowing a blocked field goal, a 32-yard kick return by JaMycal Hasty, a 45-yard return by Deebo Samuel, and blocked punt that would tie the game at 10-10 in the 4th quarter. Prior to the game, the special teams was scrutinized during the entire season as they were ranked 32nd in the NFL DVOA by football outsiders. Statistics. Starters. Regular season. Offense Defense Postseason . Offense Defense