1993 Green Bay Packers season

1993 Green Bay Packers season
Head coach Mike Holmgren
General manager Ron Wolf
Home field Lambeau Field
Milwaukee County Stadium
Results
Record 9–7
Division place 2nd NFC Central
Playoff finish Won NFC Wild Card
Lost NFC Divisional (Dallas Cowboys)
Timeline
Previous season Next season
< 1992 1994 >

The 1993 Green Bay Packers season resulted in a 9–7 record and the Packers' first playoff berth in 21 years (excluding the strike-shortened 1982 season). The record also marked the first back-to-back winning season since the Packers 1967 season.[1] During the regular season, the Packers finished with 340 points, ranking sixth in the National Football League, and allowed 282 points, ranking ninth. In his third year as a pro and second with the Packers, quarterback Brett Favre led the Packers offense, passing for 3,303 yards and 19 touchdowns.[2] Favre, who played his first full season, was selected to his first of eight Pro Bowls.

In the playoffs, the Packers played in the NFC Wild Card game against the Detroit Lions. The Packers were able to win the game 28–24, closing with a forty-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre to Sterling Sharpe with 55 seconds left. In the divisional playoff round, the Packers played the Dallas Cowboys and lost 17–27.

The Packers commemorated their 75th overall season of professional football in 1993 with a "75" logo uniform patch, one year before the NFL's diamond anniversary.

Offseason

Free agents

In the offseason, the Packers signed future Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White in one of the biggest offseason moves in Packers history.[3]

Acquisitions
Player Pos. Former Team
Louis Clark WR Seattle Seahawks
Mark Clayton WR Miami Dolphins
Harry Galbreath G Miami Dolphins
Tunch Ilkin OT Pittsburgh Steelers
Bill Maas NT Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Prior S Indianapolis Colts
Reggie White DE Philadelphia Eagles
Departures
Player Pos. New Team
Chuck Cecil S Phoenix Cardinals
Tootie Robbins OT New Orleans Saints
Vince Workman RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers


1993 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Linebacker Wayne Simmons in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft. In the fifth round the Packers drafted quarterback Mark Brunell, who would later become Jacksonville Jaguars career passing yards leader.[4]

Round Sel. Player Pos. College
1 15 Wayne Simmons LB Clemson
1 29 George Teague FS Alabama
3 81 Earl Dotson OT Texas A&M-Kingsville
5 118 Mark Brunell QB Washington
5 119 James Willis LB Auburn
6 141 Doug Evans CB Louisiana Tech
6 152 Paul Hutchins OT Western Michigan
6 156 Tim Watson S Howard
7 183 Bob Kuberski DT Navy

Personnel

Staff

colspan="7" style="background: #203731; color:white; border: 2px solid #FFB612" text-align: center;" | 1993 Green Bay Packers staff
Front office
  • President/Chief Executive Officer – Bob Harlan
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ron Wolf
  • Director of Pro Personnel – Jesse Kaye
  • Director of College Scouting – John Math
  • Assistant Director of Pro Personnel – Ted Thompson

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

[5]

Roster

colspan="10" style="background: #203731; color:white; border:2px solid #FFB612" text-align:center;" | 1993 Green Bay Packers roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

 Tight ends

Offensive linemen

 Defensive linemen

Linebackers

 Defensive backs

Special teams


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Opening week

The Green Bay Packers started the season strong with a 36–6 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers showed a strong defense and offense in the win. The Rams finished with 53-yards rushing, and Bryce Paup and George Koonce were able to record a safety on one play. Rams quarterback, Jim Everett completed 17 of 41 passes for 175 yards and two interceptions. The offense recorded 381 total yards, scoring in six of eight possessions. Quarterback Brett Favre completed 19 of 29 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. For one of the touchdowns, Favre completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe, who finished with seven catches for 120 yards.[6]

Three-game skid

After the strong start against the Rams, the Packers lost the following three games. The first came in a 20–17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field. Despite gaining a 17–7 lead in the third quarter, the Packers only managed 159 yards of total offense in the game. Starting linebacker Brian Noble left the field with a season-ending injury as the Eagles were able to rally from behind. The Eagles gained the lead with under five minutes to play when Randall Cunningham escaped a sack from former team-mate Reggie White, and firing a 40-yard touchdown pass to Eagles receiver Victor Bailey.[7] Following a bye-week, the Packers traveled to the Metrodome to play the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers again fell short of victory in the closing seconds of the game. The Packers were leading 13–12 before Jim McMahon completed a 45-yard pass on third and ten to Eric Guliford, who was wide open. With four seconds left, Vikings kicker Fuad Reveiz completed his fifth field goal to give the Vikings a 15–13 victory.[8] The following week, the Packers lost their third straight to defending Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys.[9]

Winning streak

After losing three of their first four games, the Packers proceeded to win six of their next seven, defeating four conference opponents. The Packers won their second game of the season, narrowly defeating the Denver Broncos on Brett Favre's birthday. At halftime the Packers held a 30–7 lead, scoring on each of their first six possessions. Brett Favre passed for 182 yards in the first half, including a 66-yard touchdown pass to Jackie Harris. John Stephens and Edgar Bennett each scored one-yard touchdown runs and Chris Jackie made three field goals. In the second half the Packers gained only 61 yards on offense. Brett Favre threw three interceptions, including one which was returned for a touchdown. Broncos quarterback John Elway completed 33 of 59 passes for 367 yards and a touchdown, helping to close the Packers lead to 30–27. The Broncos had a chance to tie or win the game on their last drive, but came up short when Reggie White was able to sack John Elway twice. After the win the Packers had another bye week.[10]

In week eight the Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37–14, bringing their record to 3–3. Brett Favre completed 20 of 35 passes for 268 yards. Sterling Sharpe caught a career-high four touchdown passes, tying a Green Bay Packer record held by Don Hutson.[11] For the second week in a row the Packers faced a conference opponent. They defeated the Chicago Bears 17–3 and forced seven sacks and three turnovers in the game.[12]

The Beginning of the Lambeau Leap

The Packers beat the Raiders in the final home game of the regular season. But this game will be remembered for the start of the famed Lambeau Leap. Packer LeRoy Butler forced a fumble from Raider quarterback Vince Evans that Reggie White recovered. After running 10 yards, White lateraled the ball to Butler, who ran the remaining 25 yards into the end zone. Butler then made the lunging leap into the south bleachers and inviting arms of crazed fans. The true first "Leap" came the week before at Milwaukee County Stadium.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Game site Record Attendance
1 September 5, 1993 Los Angeles Rams W 36–6 Milwaukee County Stadium 1–0
54,648
2 September 12, 1993 Philadelphia Eagles L 20–17 Lambeau Field 1–1
59,061
3 Bye
4 September 26, 1993 at Minnesota Vikings L 15–13 Metrodome 1–2
61,746
5 October 3, 1993 at Dallas Cowboys L 36–14 Texas Stadium 1–3
63,568
6 October 10, 1993 Denver Broncos W 30–27 Lambeau Field 2–3
58,943
7 Bye
8 October 24, 1993 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 37–14 Tampa Stadium 3–3
47,354
9 October 31, 1993 Chicago Bears W 17–3 Lambeau Field 4–3
58,945
10 November 8, 1993 at Kansas City Chiefs L 23–16 Arrowhead Stadium 4–4
76,742
11 November 14, 1993 at New Orleans Saints W 19–17 Louisiana Superdome 5–4
69,043
12 November 21, 1993 Detroit Lions W 26–17 Milwaukee County Stadium 6–4
55,119
13 November 28, 1993 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–10 Lambeau Field 7–4
56,995
14 December 5, 1993 at Chicago Bears L 30–17 Soldier Field 7–5
62,236
15 December 12, 1993 at San Diego Chargers W 20–13 Jack Murphy Stadium 8–5
57,930
16 December 19, 1993 Minnesota Vikings L 21–17 Milwaukee County Stadium 8–6
54,773
17 December 26, 1993 Los Angeles Raiders W 28–0 Lambeau Field 9–6
54,482
18 January 2, 1994 at Detroit Lions L 30–20 Pontiac Silverdome 9–7
77,510
WC January 8, 1994 at Detroit Lions W 28–24 Pontiac Silverdome 10–7
68,479
DC January 16, 1994 at Dallas Cowboys L 27–17 Texas Stadium 10–8
64,790

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 1: Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers
1 2 34Total
Rams 3 3 006
Packers 9 10 14336

at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 2: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers
1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 7 01320
Packers 7 3 7017

at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Week 5: @ Dallas Cowboys

Week 5: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 0 7014
Cowboys 10 6 13736

Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 6: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 14627
Packers 17 13 0030

at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Week 8: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 8: Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 17 6737
Buccaneers 0 0 7714

at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida

Week 12: vs. Detroit Lions

1 2 34Total
Lions 0 7 10017
Packers 10 3 31026

at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Week 14: @ Chicago Bears

1 2 34Total
Packers 7 0 10017
Bears 7 3 101030

at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois

Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (in Milwaukee)
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 7721
Packers 3 7 0717

at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin date= December 19

Standings

NFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(3) Detroit Lions 1060.625298292W2
(5) Minnesota Vikings 970.563277290W3
(6) Green Bay Packers 970.563340282L1
Chicago Bears 790.438234230L4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5110.313237376L1

Awards and records

Milestones

References

  1. ↑ Nickel, Lori. "PACKERS ROLL DICE", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2005-10-08. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  2. ↑ "1993 Green Bay Packers statistics", Profootballreference.com. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  3. ↑ "NFL Free Agency 101", Packers.com. Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
  4. ↑ "1993 NFL Draft", NFL.com. Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
  5. ↑ "All Time Coaches Database". Packers.com. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Sept. 5, 1993: Packers 36, Rams 6", Packersnews.com, 1993-09-05. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  7. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Sept. 12, 1993: Eagles 20, Packers 17", Packersnews.com, 1993-09-12. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  8. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Sept. 26, 1993: Vikings 15, Packers 13", Packersnews.com, 1993-09-26. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  9. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Oct. 3, 1993: Cowboys 36, Packers 14", Packersnews.com, 1993-10-03. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.
  10. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Oct. 10, 1993: Packers 30, Broncos 27", Packersnews.com, 1993-10-10. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
  11. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Oct. 24, 1993: Packers 37, Buccaneers 14", Packersnews.com, 1993-24-10. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
  12. ↑ Havel, Chris. "Oct. 31, 1993: Packers 17, Bears 3", Packersnews.com, 1993-10-31. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
  13. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199309050gnb.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199309120gnb.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199310030dal.htm
  16. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199310100gnb.htm
  17. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199310240tam.htm
  18. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312050chi.htm
  19. ↑ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312190gnb.htm

External links