2015 Green Bay Packers season

The 2015 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise's 97th season overall, 95th in the National Football League, and the tenth under head coach Mike McCarthy. With a Week 15 win over the Oakland Raiders, the Packers clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season, but they failed to win their fifth consecutive NFC North title after a Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings as does matching their 12–4 record from last season. As a result, the fifth-seeded Packers traveled to Washington to face the fourth-seeded Redskins in the Wild Card round. They beat the Redskins 35–18, and then traveled to Arizona for a rematch against the second-seeded Arizona Cardinals, where the Packers' season ended as they lost to the Cardinals in overtime, 20–26.

2015 Green Bay Packers season
OwnerGreen Bay Packers, Inc. (360,760 stockholders)[1]
Head coachMike McCarthy
General managerTed Thompson
Home fieldLambeau Field
Results
Record10–6
Division place2nd NFC North
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs (at Redskins) 35–18
Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Cardinals) 20–26 (OT)
Pro BowlersJohn Kuhn, FB
Clay Matthews, MLB
Julius Peppers, OLB
Aaron Rodgers, QB
Josh Sitton, G
Uniform

Offseason

Free agents
PositionPlayerFree agency
tag		Date signedTeam
QBMatt Flynn*UFAJune 11, 2015[2]New England Patriots
QBScott TolzienUFAMarch 8, 2015[3]Green Bay Packers
RBDuJuan HarrisERFAMarch 19, 2015[4]Minnesota Vikings
FBJohn KuhnUFAApril 13, 2015[5]Green Bay Packers
WRJarrett BoykinRFAMarch 27, 2015[6]Carolina Panthers
WRRandall CobbUFAMarch 7, 2015[7]Green Bay Packers
OTDon BarclayRFAApril 9, 2015[8]Green Bay Packers
OTBryan BulagaUFAMarch 10, 2015[9]Green Bay Packers
NTLetroy GuionUFAMarch 30, 2015[10]Green Bay Packers
NTB. J. RajiUFAMarch 30, 2015[10]Green Bay Packers
ILBJamari LattimoreUFAApril 1, 2015[11]New York Jets
CBJarrett Bush[12]UFA
CBDavon HouseUFAMarch 10, 2015 [13]Jacksonville Jaguars
CBTramon WilliamsUFAMarch 16, 2015 [14]Cleveland Browns
SSSean RichardsonRFAApril 13, 2015[15]Green Bay Packers
FSChris BanjoERFAApril 17, 2015[16]Green Bay Packers

      Re-signed         Signed Away         Suspended, Released
RFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent, FT: Franchise Tag
*Player was signed after the June 1st deadline and will not count towards compensatory selections.

2015 NFL Draft
Main article: 2015 NFL draft
2015 Green Bay Packers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 30 Damarious Randall  Cornerback[17] Arizona State
2 62 Quinten Rollins  Cornerback Miami (OH)
3 94 Ty Montgomery  Wide Receiver Stanford
4 129 Jake Ryan  Linebacker Michigan
5 147 Brett Hundley  Quarterback UCLA from Cleveland via New England
6 206 Aaron Ripkowski  Fullback Oklahoma
6 210 Christian Ringo  Defensive End Louisiana-Lafayette compensatory selection
6 213 Kennard Backman  Tight End Alabama-Birmingham compensatory selection
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Notes

  • The Packers received two compensatory selections in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.[18]
  • The Packers traded picks No. 166 and No. 247 to receive No. 147 from the New England Patriots.[19]

Staff
2015 Green Bay Packers staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Mark Lovat
  • Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Chris Gizzi
  • Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Thadeus Jackson

Final roster
2015 Green Bay Packers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 6 inactive, 9 practice squad

Starters

Offense
POS Name GS Name GS
QBAaron Rodgers16
RBEddie Lacy12James Starks3
FBJohn Kuhn6James Starks1
WRRandall Cobb15
WRJames Jones15
WRDavante Adams12Ty Montgomery3
TERichard Rodgers12Andrew Quarless1
LTDavid Bakhtiari14
LGJosh Sitton16
CCorey Linsley13JC Tretter3
RGT. J. Lang15Lane Taylor2
RTBryan Bulaga12Don Barclay5

Defense
POS Name GS Name GS Name GS
DEMike Pennel5Letroy Guion1
DTMike Daniels16Mike Neal2
NTB. J. Raji15Letroy Guion3
OLBMike Neal12Nick Perry1
OLBJulius Peppers16
ILBClay Matthews III16Jake Ryan5
ILBNate Palmer11Sam Barrington1
CBSam Shields12Damarious Randall9
CBCasey Hayward11Quinten Rollins4Micah Hyde2
SSMorgan Burnett11Micah Hyde5
FSHa Ha Clinton-Dix16
SSean Richardson1Chris Banjo1

Offense
POS Name GS Name GS
QBAaron Rodgers2
RBEddie Lacy2
FBJohn Kuhn1
WRRandall Cobb2Jared Abbrederis1
WRJames Jones2
TERichard Rodgers2
LTJ. C. Tretter1David Bakhtiari1
LGJosh Sitton2
CCorey Linsley2
RGT. J. Lang2
RTBryan Bulaga2

Defense
POS Name GS Name GS
DTMike Daniels2
NTB. J. Raji2
OLBMike Neal2
OLBJulius Peppers2
ILBClay Matthews III2
ILBJake Ryan2
CBQuinten Rollins1Sam Shields1
CBCasey Hayward2
CBDamarious Randall2
SSMorgan Burnett2
FSHa Ha Clinton-Dix2

Standings

Division
NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Minnesota Vikings 11 5 0 .688 5–1 8–4 365 302 W3
(5) Green Bay Packers 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 368 323 L2
Detroit Lions 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 358 400 W3
Chicago Bears 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 335 397 L1

Conference
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1 Carolina Panthers South 15 1 0 .938 5–1 11–1 .441 .438 W1
2 Arizona Cardinals West 13 3 0 .813 4–2 10–2 .477 .457 L1
3 Minnesota Vikings North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 8–4 .504 .449 W3
4 Washington Redskins East 9 7 0 .563 4–2 8–4 .465 .403 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .531 .450 L2
6[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .520 .431 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Atlanta Falcons South 8 8 0 .500 1–5 5–7 .480 .453 L1
8[lower-alpha 2] St. Louis Rams West 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .527 .482 L1
9[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .535 .429 W3
10[lower-alpha 2] Philadelphia Eagles East 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 .508 .473 W1
11[lower-alpha 2] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 .504 .402 W2
12[lower-alpha 3] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .500 .396 L3
13[lower-alpha 3] Chicago Bears North 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 .547 .469 L1
14[lower-alpha 3] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 6 10 0 .375 3–3 5–7 .484 .406 L4
15 San Francisco 49ers West 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .539 .463 W1
16 Dallas Cowboys East 4 12 0 .250 3–3 3–9 .531 .438 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 4]
  1. Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on head-to-head victory.
  2. St. Louis and Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on conference record. St. Louis finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
    Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on head-to-head sweep, while Philadelphia finished ahead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
  3. The New York Giants and Chicago each finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory, while the Giants finished ahead of Chicago based on conference record.
  4. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Schedule

Preseason
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 August 13 at New England Patriots W 22–11 1–0 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 August 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 19–24 1–1 Heinz Field Recap
3 August 29 Philadelphia Eagles L 26–39 1–2 Lambeau Field Recap
4 September 3 New Orleans Saints W 38–10 2–2 Lambeau Field Recap

Regular season
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 13 at Chicago Bears W 31–23 1–0 Soldier Field Recap
2 September 20 Seattle Seahawks W 27–17 2–0 Lambeau Field Recap
3 September 28 Kansas City Chiefs W 38–28 3–0 Lambeau Field Recap
4 October 4 at San Francisco 49ers W 17–3 4–0 Levi's Stadium Recap
5 October 11 St. Louis Rams W 24–10 5–0 Lambeau Field Recap
6 October 18 San Diego Chargers W 27–20 6–0 Lambeau Field Recap
7 Bye
8 November 1 at Denver Broncos L 10–29 6–1 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
9 November 8 at Carolina Panthers L 29–37 6–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 15 Detroit Lions L 16–18 6–3 Lambeau Field Recap
11 November 22 at Minnesota Vikings W 30–13 7–3 TCF Bank Stadium Recap
12 November 26 Chicago Bears L 13–17 7–4 Lambeau Field Recap
13 December 3 at Detroit Lions W 27–23 8–4 Ford Field Recap
14 December 13 Dallas Cowboys W 28–7 9–4 Lambeau Field Recap
15 December 20 at Oakland Raiders W 30–20 10–4 O.co Coliseum Recap
16 December 27 at Arizona Cardinals L 8–38 10–5 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
17 January 3 Minnesota Vikings L 13–20 10–6 Lambeau Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Postseason
See also: 2015–16 NFL playoffs
Playoff roundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
Wild Card January 10, 2016 at Washington Redskins (4) W 35–18 1–0 FedExField Recap
Divisional January 16, 2016 at Arizona Cardinals (2) L 20–26 (OT) 1–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Chicago Bears
Week One: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 3 71431
Bears 3 10 3723

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

The Packers opened their season against their famed arch-rival, the Bears. The Bears, behind the strong running of Matt Forte, had the early lead against the Packers, but the Packers were able to gain the advantage in the second half behind Aaron Rodgers' three touchdown passes, two of which were to James Jones, who had been cut by the New York Giants just a week prior. The Packers clinched the win with a Clay Matthews interception, followed by an Eddie Lacy touchdown run, giving the Packers their tenth win over the Bears in the rivals' 12 most recent games.

Week 2: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Two: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 0 14017
Packers 10 3 31127

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

The Packers' home opener featured a rematch of the 2015 NFC Championship Game between the Packers and the Seattle Seahawks, who had won in their previous three meetings with the Packers, all of them in Seattle. The Packers got the early 13–3 lead, helped by James Jones' 3rd touchdown reception in only two games, but the Seahawks were able to rally back on two Russell Wilson touchdown passes, giving Seattle a 17–13 lead in the third quarter. The Packers then scored 14 unanswered points, aided by two Seahawks turnovers and shut down the Seahawks offense, holding their star running back, Marshawn Lynch, to only 42 yards rushing with a 2.7 yards per carry average. The Packers won 27–17, building up a 2–0 record and adding to a ten-game winning streak at Lambeau Field.

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Three: Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 7 71428
Packers 14 10 7738

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

The Chiefs came in as one of only two teams in the NFL, the other being the Houston Texans, who have never lost at Lambeau Field (until Week 13 of the 2016 NFL season.) The Packers dominated the Chiefs for most of the game, with Aaron Rodgers throwing five touchdown passes, though the Chiefs managed to outscore the Packers 21–14 in the second half. The Packers' 38–28 victory ended the Chiefs' being undefeated at Lambeau and extended the Packers' own home winning streak to eleven games.

Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Four: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 0 10017
49ers 0 3 003

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT/1:25 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 70,799
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This game was the Packers first trip to Levi's Stadium, which opened in 2014.[20]

With the win, the Packers improved to 4–0.[21] The Packers not only got their first win over the 49ers since 2010, but it was also the Packers' first victory over Colin Kaepernick.

Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Five: St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 0 10 0010
Packers 14 0 7324

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Aaron Rodgers threw his first interception at home since 2012, which was picked off by James Laurinaitis.[22] The Packers' defense intercepted St. Louis quarterback Nick Foles four times, one of them returned for a touchdown by Quinten Rollins for 45 yards.

The Packers went to 5–0 for the first time since 2011.

Week 6: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week Six: San Diego Chargers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 7320
Packers 14 3 7327

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

The Packers wore new throwback uniforms, replicas of their uniforms from the 1940s, for their game against the Chargers.

The Packers took another early lead, helped by James Starks' two touchdown runs, but the Chargers came back, with Philip Rivers hitting key passes to Keenan Allen. The two teams traded points in the second half, with the Chargers able to keep pace with the Packers. In the last play of the game, Packers rookie cornerback Damarious Randall has deflected what could have been a game-tying touchdown pass from San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 500 yards in a game and lose the game.

With the win, the Packers entered their bye week at 6–0. It is also the second time the Packers started 6–0 after the 2011 season.

Week 7: Bye week

No game. Green Bay had a bye week.

Week 8: at Denver Broncos
Week Eight: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 3010
Broncos 7 10 7529

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST/6:30 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 77,075
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Packers flew to Denver for a duel with Peyton Manning and the undefeated Denver Broncos. The Broncos wore their alternate blue uniforms with white pants as worn in Super Bowl XXXII.

Packers cornerbacks Sam Shields and rookie cornerback Quinten Rollins suffered a shoulder injury in the game and their returns were questionable.[23]

The Broncos took the lead early in the first quarter when Ronnie Hillman scored a 1-yard touchdown.

In the second quarter, Hillman scored another touchdown and the Broncos led 14–0. The Broncos lead became 17–0 when Brandon McManus made a 50-yard field goal. Von Miller was injured during the second quarter. The Packers struck back when Eddie Lacy scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. They trailed 7–17 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Packers cut Denver's lead to seven when Mason Crosby made a 56-yard field goal. Denver extended their lead to 24–10 when C.J. Anderson made a 28-yard run.

Denver continued to dominate when Brandon McManus made a 24-yard field goal and DeMarcus Ware sacked Aaron Rodgers for a safety, making the score 10–29.

The Packers defense finally recorded an interception when Damarious Randall picked off Peyton Manning. In this game, the Broncos held Rodgers to 77 yards passing, the lowest of his starting career in a game where he hasn't come off with injury.

Week 9: at Carolina Panthers
Week Nine: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 0 71529
Panthers 3 24 3737

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 74,461
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Green Bay would travel to Charlotte to take on the undefeated Panthers. The Panthers would lead all game. The Panthers would lead 37–14 at one point. Green Bay would try to come back, but they wouldn't, as Carolina hung on for the win. Despite the loss, Aaron Rodgers would throw 4 touchdown passes with only 1 interception.

With the loss, the Packers fell to 6–2.

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Ten: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 0 3 6918
Packers 3 0 01316

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 78,526
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

For the first time since 1991, the Packers lost to the Lions at home.

Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Eleven: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 6 10 31130
Vikings 6 0 7013

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 52,529
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information
Green Bay visits Minnesota to play the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium

The Packers broke their three-game losing streak with a victory in Minnesota. Green Bay held Minnesota to two scores, including a 47-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Kyle Rudolph for the game's first touchdown. The Vikings' extra point try went wide, and after three Green Bay field goals, the Packers closed out the first half with a TD pass from Rodgers to Cobb to take a 10-point lead. Adrian Peterson scored in the third quarter to bring the Vikings within six points of the Packers, but Green Bay got it back with a long pass from Rodgers to James Jones in the corner of the end zone. Two second-half Crosby field goals brought Green Bay's total to 30, and the Vikings relinquished their brief first-place standing in the NFC North back to the Pack.

Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears

Thanksgiving Day game

Week Twelve: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 0 14 0317
Packers 7 6 0013

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), rain
  • Game attendance: 78,488
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

On a night where the Packers would retire long-time star quarterback Brett Favre's jersey, Chicago would upset Green Bay, winning 17–13. The Packers had a chance near the end to steal the win from Chicago, but the Bears defense would force a turnover on downs to end the game.

With the loss, the Packers fell to 7–4.

Week 13 at Lions
See also: Miracle in Motown
Week Thirteen: Green Bay Packers (8–3) at Detroit Lions (4–7)
1 2 34Total
Packers 0 0 141327
Lions 17 0 3323

at Ford Field • Detroit, Michigan

In a game dubbed "The Miracle in Motown" by Jim Nantz, the Packers trailed 20–0 at halftime before pulling off a comeback in the second half. This game is well known by Packer fans for its ending. Towards the end, the Packers tried to lateral the ball to get down the field and score a game-winning touchdown. The play looked like a total bust, as Aaron Rodgers was wrapped up and brought down, seemingly ending the game. However, the Lions were called for a controversial facemask penalty that gave the Packers one more chance on an untimed down. On the next play, Rodgers threw a 61-yard Hail Mary pass to Richard Rodgers to end the game. The ball traveled 68 yards through the air, making it the longest touchdown pass in NFL history by air. The pass gave the Packers a 27–23 win. Some Packers fans refer to this play as "Hail Rodgers" or "Rodgers to Rodgers".

With the win, the Packers improved to 8–4.

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Fourteen: Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 707
Packers 0 14 01428

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), rain
  • Game attendance: 78,369
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In a rematch of "Dez Bryant's no catch game", the Packers rattled the depleted Cowboys 28–7. This was the first game Mike McCarthy took back play-calling duties after relinquishing it to Tom Clements.[24][25]

With the win, the Packers improved to 9–4.

Week 15: at Oakland Raiders
Week Fifteen: Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 14 0 10630
Raiders 0 13 7020

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

The Packers would travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders. The defense had a good day, intercepting Derek Carr twice, as the Packers won 30–20.

With the win, the Packers improved to 10–4.

Week 16: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Sixteen: Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 0 0 808
Cardinals 0 17 21038

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: December 27
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST/2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 64,878
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In this game, Aaron Rodgers suffered, what many call, the worst game of his career, as the Packers got destroyed 38–8 in Glendale to a good Arizona Cardinals team. The Packers would commit 4 turnovers in this game and Rodgers would be sacked a career-high 9 times.

With the mistake-filled loss, the Packers fell to 10–5, and now have to face Minnesota next week for the NFC North championship.

Week 17: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week Seventeen: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 3 14020
Packers 3 0 01013

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: January 3, 2016
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 24 °F (−4 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 78,412
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Packers looked to complete a 2–0 season sweep against the Vikings in order to win the division, but their hopes died late in the fourth quarter as Aaron Rodgers attempted another hail mary play that ended up being tipped by the Vikings defense, allowing Minnesota to win the division title for the first time since 2009 and preventing Green Bay from winning the division title for the fifth straight season. This was also the first time in franchise history that the Packers would go 0–3 at home against their division.

This loss dropped the Packers to 10–6, splitting the season series with Minnesota, 1–1.

Postseason
See also: 2015–16 NFL playoffs

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) Washington Redskins
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Green Bay Packers at (4) Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 0 17 71135
Redskins 5 6 7018

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

The Packers would play in Washington for the first playoff game. The first half was all Redskins, as they jumped out to an 11–0 lead during the early point of the second quarter. However, the Packers would come back, and would outscore Washington 35-7 the rest of the game.

With the win, the Packers advanced to the Divisional Playoffs.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: at (2) Arizona Cardinals
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) Green Bay Packers at (2) Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Packers 0 6 77020
Cardinals 7 0 310626

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

In a rematch of week 16's game, the Packers went back to Arizona for a rematch with the Cardinals. This game was a lot closer, as the Packers lost a shootout 26–20 in overtime. This game was wild, especially towards the closing. In the fourth quarter, trailing by 7 with less than 2 minutes left, facing a 4th and 20, the Packers converted with Rodgers completing a 61-yard pass to receiver Jeff Janis to set the Packers up. Later, with 5 seconds left, Aaron Rodgers would throw another Hail Mary pass, this time to Janis, and to tie the game at 20. In overtime, the Cardinals would get the ball first. On the first play from scrimmage, Carson Palmer would complete a pass to Larry Fitzgerald, who was able to run through the Packers defense for a gain of 75 yards and be tackled at the Green Bay 4 yard line. Two plays later, the Cardinals would win it after Fitzgerald took it in on a flip from Palmer to end the game and send Arizona to the NFC Championship game.

With the loss, the Packers ended their season with an overall record of 11–7.

Statistics

Regular season statistical leaders
Player(s)Value
Passing YardsAaron Rodgers3821 Yards
Passing TouchdownsAaron Rodgers31
Rushing YardsEddie Lacy758 Yards
Rushing TouchdownsEddie Lacy3
ReceptionsRandall Cobb79 Receptions
Receiving YardsJames Jones890 Yards
Receiving TouchdownsRichard Rodgers
James Jones		8
Kickoff Return YardsJeff Janis406 yards
Punt Return YardsMicah Hyde184 yards
TacklesHa Ha Clinton-Dix100 tackles
SacksJulius Peppers10.5 sacks
InterceptionsMicah Hyde
Damarious Randall
Sam Shields		3 INTs

Statistical values are correct through Week 17[26]
*leads the league in statistical category

Best game performances
Player(s)ValueOpponent
Passing yardsAaron Rodgers369 yards@ Carolina Panthers
Passing touchdownsAaron Rodgers5Kansas City Chiefs
Rushing yardsEddie Lacy124 yardsDallas Cowboys
Rushing touchdownsEddie Lacy
Eddie Lacy
John Kuhn
James Starks
Aaron Rodgers
Eddie Lacy
James Starks
John Kuhn		1@ Chicago Bears
@ Denver Broncos
@ San Francisco 49ers
San Diego Chargers
Detroit Lions
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
@ Oakland Raiders
Receiving yardsRichard Rodgers146 yardsDetroit Lions
Receiving touchdownsRandall Cobb3Kansas City Chiefs
TacklesHa Ha Clinton-Dix
Micah Hyde
Nate Palmer
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix		9 tacklesSeattle Seahawks
San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
Detroit Lions
SacksJulius Peppers2.5 sacks@ Oakland Raiders
InterceptionsQuinten Rollins2 INTSt. Louis Rams

Statistical values are correct through Week 17

Awards
Recipient Award(s)
Mason Crosby Week 11: Special Teams Player of the Week[27]
Eddie Lacy Week 14: FedEx Ground Player of the Week[28]
Damarious Randall Week 6: Castrol Edge Clutch Performer[29]
November: Rookie of the Month[30]
Aaron Rodgers Week 3: NFC Offensive Player of the Week[31]
Week 3: FedEx Air Player of the Week[32]
Week 11: Castrol Edge Clutch Performer[33]

See also

References
  1. Shareholders Retrieved September 16, 2015
  2. Kyed, Doug. "Reports: Patriots Sign Quarterback Matt Flynn, Waive Garrett Gilbert". NESN. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  3. "Packers re-sign backup QB Tolzien". Packersnews.com. 2015-03-08.
  4. "Vikings sign RB DuJuan Harris". Packersnews.com. 2015-03-19.
  5. "Report: Packers re-sign Kuhn for 9th season". Packersnews.com. 2015-04-13.
  6. "Jarrett Boykin signs with Carolina Panthers". nfl.com. 2015-03-27.
  7. "Report: Randall Cobb re-signs with Packers". Packersnews.com. 2015-03-07.
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  9. "Bulaga reportedly signs 5-year, $33.75 million deal". Packersnews.com. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
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  11. "Jets sign former Packers LB Jamari Lattimore, re-sign LT Ben Ijalana". espn.com. 2015-04-01. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  12. "Report: Jarrett Bush suspended additional 10 games". rotoworld.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  13. "Report: Davon House to join Jaguars at $6.25M per year". nfl.com. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  14. "Report: Browns add Randy Starks, Tramon Williams". nfl.com. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
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  27. "Panthers QB Cam Newton, Buccaneers LB Lavonte David & Packers K Mason Crosby named NFC Players of Week 11". NFL. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  28. "FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  29. "Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  30. "NFL Rookies of the Month - November". NFL. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  31. "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu & Eagles PR-RB Darren Sproles named NFC Players of Week 3". NFL. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
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