Championship seasons rarely follow easy roads. The Green Bay Packers' 2010 Super Bowl season was no exception. This season was filled with injuries, penalties and heartbreaking losses. Despite this, the Packers came together as a team and fought adversity to make it to the playoffs, and eventually the Super Bowl. Substitutes stepped up, team leaders took control and coaches called brilliant games as the Packers fought their way to Dallas, Texas for Super Bowl XLV.
Week 1: Green Bay at Philadelphia
The Packers opened the 2010 NFL season on the road at Philadelphia. The Eagles were coming into the game without Donovan McNabb for the first time in 10 years. Instead, Kevin Kolb led Philadelphia, if only for the first half.
After the Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Packers responded with 13 straight points to end the first half: a 49 yard Mason Crosby field goal, a six yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Donald Driver, and 56 yard field goal to end the half from Crosby, which was the longest field goal in Packer history.
The Eagles struggled on offense throughout the first half, thanks largely to the pass-rush presence of Clay Matthews. Matthews was able to sack Kolb twice, with one sack resulting in a game-ending concussion for Kolb.
Michael Vick opened the second half for the Eagles. On the second play of the third quarter, Eagles' wide receiver Eldra Buckley fumbled and Charles Woodson made the recovery. After a short drive John Kuhn scored from three yards out.
The Packers added another touchdown, a 32 yard pass to Greg Jennings. Vick led the Eagles to 17 points in the second half, making the score 27-20 with five minutes left in the game.
The Packer defense was able to hold the Eagles on fourth down in the closing moments of the game to escape with a win.
Ryan Grant, the Packers' starting running back, left the game with an ankle injury. He would later be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Week 2: Buffalo at Green Bay
After a close game at Philadelphia, Green Bay rolled over the Buffalo Bills easily in the Packers' home opener at Lambeau Field.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns on his way to a passer rating of 116.3.
Clay Matthews had his second straight three sack performance, and helped the Packer defense hold the Bills to just 7 points and 186 yards of total offense.
Said Rodgers of Matthews' performance, "Just glad he's on our team."
Week 3: Green Bay at Chicago
The Packers saw their first loss of the season come by the hands of the Chicago Bears in a Monday Night Football game at Soldier Field.
The Packers set a team record by having 18 penalties for 152 yards. They turned the ball over twice, and gave up a Devin Hester punt return touchdown.
Even though the Packers played poorly throughout the game, the Bears barely managed a 3 point victory on a last second Robbie Gould field goal.
Week 4: Detroit at Green Bay
The 2-1 Packers returned home hoping to rebound from the loss to the Bears. The Detroit Lions entered the game 0-3, and hungry for their first victory.
The Pack jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a 29 yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Driver. The Lions tied the game with a Calvin Johnson touchdown reception.
Green Bay would add two more touchdowns, receptions by Jermichael Finley and Jennings, and Calvin Johnson rounded out the first half with his second touchdown of the day for the Lions.
Early in the second half, reigning defensive player-of-the-year Charles Woodson once again made his presence felt. Woodson picked off Shaun Hill, returned the ball 48 yards, and dove into the endzone for an emphatic touchdown, making the score 28-14.
The Packers then played bend-but-don't-break defense for the rest of the half, allowing 4 field goals but no touchdowns.
Despite struggling most of the second half, the Packer offense was able to get it together and mount one final drive to run out the clock. Fullback John Kuhn, recently promoted to part-time running back in the wake of Grant's injury, was able to bull his way for several first downs as the Packers ran out the clock to seal the victory, 28-26.
Rookie safety Morgan Burnett became the Packers' second opening day starter to be placed on injured reserve after the Detroit game.
Week 5: Green Bay at Washington
Green Bay headed to our nation's Capital to take on the Washington Redskins. After poor offensive performances against the Bears and the Lions, the Packers were looking for a spark in their offense.
They wouldn't find it in Washington.
As in the Chicago game, the Packers turned the ball over and committed numerous penalties, yet still managed to play into overtime.
In overtime, however, Aaron Rodgers was intercepted on a play in which he was driven into the ground and concussed. Washington was able to kick a field goal to win the game.
Nick Barnett became the third opening day starter to be placed on injured reserve after the Washington game.
Week 6: Miami at Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers was able to recover from his concussion in week 5 to make the start against the Dolphins. After going down 7-3 early, Rodgers found Jennings for an 86 yard catch-and-run touchdown connection.
Miami would strike back, and leave the Packers down 20-13 with 5 minutes remaining in the game.
Rodgers led the Packers on a 12 play, 69 yard drive capped off by a quarterback sneak touchdown with 13 seconds remaining in the game.
Once again, however, the Packers fell by a field goal in overtime.
Jermichael Finley became the fourth opening day starter to be placed on injured reserve after the Miami game.
Week 7: Minnesota at Green Bay
Brett Favre and the 2-3 Minnesota Vikings entered Lambeau Field looking to take a victory and bragging rights from the Packers.
The Packers struck first on a 1 yard Brandon Jackson touchdown run. Percy Harvin equalized the game for the Vikings with a 17 yard touchdown run.
A 9 yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jermichael Finley's replacement, Andrew Quarless, put the Packers up 7. Once again, the Vikings answered, this time with an Adrian Peterson touchdown run. The Vikings added a field goal to go up 17-14 at halftime.
The Packers opened the scoring in the second half with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings. On the ensuing possession, Brett Favre was intercepted by Desmond Bishop (replacing Nick Barnett in the lineup) who returned the ball 32 yards for a touchdown, putting the Packers up 28-17.
Late in the third quarter Favre found Randy Moss on a four yard touchdown reception. Both defenses would stiffen and prevent any scoring in the fourth quarter, with the game ending on a Brett Favre incomplete pass on 4th down as the clock expired.
The win helped pull the Packers out of their downward spiral, and winning over Brett Favre and the rival Vikings gave the Packers an emotional boost.
"Our biggest rival and the close score, the way it ended, it was definitely a special night for us," said Aaron Rodgers.
Week 8: Green Bay at New York Jets
The 4-3 Packers headed to New York to face the 5-1 Jets, one of the hottest teams in football.
The game would end with neither team scoring a touchdown, as neither offense ever put a complete drive together. The big difference maker would prove to be turnovers.
The Packers forced the Jets into three turnovers, and hung onto the ball themselves. Mason Crosby's three field goals were all the scoring that took place in the Packers' 9-0 victory.
The win did not come without price, however, as several impact players on defense were left out for the season with injuries: linebackers Brady Poppinga and Brad Jones, and defensive end Michael Neal.
Week 9: Dallas at Green Bay
Green Bay returned to Lambeau to face the struggling Dallas Cowboys.
The Packers got off to a huge start, scoring 28 unanswered points in the second quarter: Brandon Jackson scored on a nine yard reception and a two yard run, Greg Jennings caught an eight yard touchdown and Nick Collins returned a fumble 26 yards for a score.
Dallas was able to score a touchdown in the final seconds of the half, making the game 28-7.
Green Bay added 17 more points in the second half, a touchdown pass to James Jones, a Crosby field goal and a Clay Matthews 63 yard interception return.
The 45-7 victory was the second worst loss in Dallas history, and the Cowboy's 1-7 start was their worst start since 1989.
The Packers lost starting offensive tackle Mark Tauscher to injured reserve in the victory over the Cowboys.
Week 11: Green Bay at Minnesota
The Packers had a bye week to prepare for the Vikings after the rout of the Cowboys. The Packers headed to Minnesota for the 100th meeting between the rivals.
A Ryan Longwell field goal in the first quarter would be the only points scored by Minnesota.
The Pack scored 17 in the second quarter on a Crosby field goal and touchdown receptions by both James Jones and Greg Jennings. Rodgers found Jennings for two more scores in the second half and the Packers rolled past the Vikings, 31-3.
Rodgers finished the game completing 22 of 31 passes for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 141.3. It was Rodgers' first career 4 touchdown game. Jennings caught seven passes for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Week 12: Green Bay at Atlanta
The Packers were now faced with the toughest game of their season to that point. The 8-2 Atlanta Falcon had been nearly perfect at home for the past two seasons.
Both teams traded field goals, then touchdowns to make the score 10-10 at halftime.
The Falcons went up 17-10 on a Michael Turner touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, the Packers answered, tying the game at 17-17 on a Rodgers to Jordy Nelson touchdown pass with one minute remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Packers committed a pivotal 15 yard facemask penalty. The penalty put the Falcons in Green Bay territory, and they were able to get into field goal range and win the game as time expired.
Week 13: San Francisco at Green Bay
Green Bay returned home to face the struggling 49ers. The Packers, sporting their 1929 throwback jerseys, were obviously disappointed in the previous week's loss, and made San Francisco pay for it.
Rodgers was stellar, completing 21 of 30 passes for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns, accumulating a passer rating of 135.1. Donald Driver made the 49er defense look silly on a 61 yard touchdown reception.
Most importantly, Packer fans got their first look at rookie running back James Starks, who saw his first major time after coming off the physically unable to perform list several weeks earlier. Starks carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards, and gave Packer nation a glimpse of the spark he would provide in the playoffs.
Week 14: Detroit at Green Bay
Green Bay followed up the win over the 49ers with a poor performance against Detroit. Aaron Rodgers went down with his second concussion of the season and backup Matt Flynn was unable to pull out a victory for the Packers.
Detroit's sole touchdown proved to be enough to beat the Packers 7-3.
Week 15: Green Bay at New England
With Aaron Rodgers still out with a concussion, the Packers were set to face the Patriots with second-string quarterback Matt Flynn controlling the offense.
Flynn performed well for the Pack, and threw two touchdown passes in the first half to help the Packers to a 17-14 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, Flynn's inexperience showed through as he threw a poor interception that was returned for a touchdown. Flynn bounced back, however, and led the Packers on a scoring drive capped off by a Jon Kuhn 6 yard touchdown reception.
In the fourth quarter the Patriots took the lead and were able to hold off the Packers for the 31-27 win.
Week 16: New York Giants at Green Bay
Now 8-6, the Packers were in a desperate situation. In order to make the playoffs, the Packers needed to win out the season. They would have to beat both the 9-5 Giants and the 10-4 Bears if they wanted a shot at the playoffs.
The Packers didn't disappoint in the win-or-go-home situation. Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in the first half (Jones and Nelson) and John Kuhn ran in a third. The Packers led 21-14 at halftime.
The second half was all Packers. Rodgers threw two more touchdown passes (Donald Lee and Kuhn) and Kuhn ran in another. The Giants managed a field goal, and the Packers kept their playoff hopes alive, winning 45-17.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns, John Kuhn boosted his cult-like following by scoring three touchdowns. The Packer defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions thrown by Eli Manning.
Week 17: Chicago at Green Bay
The Packers' playoff hopes rested in one final game: a rematch of the sloppy, penalty-filled Monday night matchup with the rival Chicago Bears. The Bears, at 11-4, had already won the NFC North division and clinched a playoff birth, first round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Packers simply needed to win to make the playoffs.
The game was classic Green Bay vs. Chicago. Both defenses played lights out and neither team was willing to give an inch. Rodgers was finally able to string together a drive early in the fourth quarter. He found Donald Lee on a 1 yard touchdown pass to put the Packers ahead 10-3.
With the game winding down, Nick Collins intercepted Jay Cutler to end the game and send the Packers into the playoffs.
Regular Season Notes:
The Packers made the postseason despite sending 16 players to injured reserve throughout the season, including six opening day starters.
All six of the Packers' losses were by four points or less, with two of those losses coming in overtime.
The Packers finished 4th in the league in total offense, and 3rd in the league in passing offense. They also finished 3rd in total defense and 3rd in rush defense.
The Packers had six players selected to the Pro Bowl: Chad Clifton, Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, and Nick Collins.
Packers 2010:
Part 2: The Playoffs
Part 3: The Super Bowl
Part 4: A Look to the Off-Season
