Super Bowl XXXI
While many anticipated the Green Bay Packers would reach Super Bowl XXXI, hardly anyone had picked the New England Patriots to be there. And although the Packers would eventually win by a clear two-touchdown advantage, the contest was a lot closer than the score would suggest.
The Packers, after stopping the Patriots, would score on their first possession as Brett Favre fired a laser to wide receiver, Andre Rison for a 54-yard touchdown. They would add a field shortly after following an interception of Patriots' quarterback, Drew Bledsoe.
The Patriots however took the momentum back before the end of the opening quarter, as Bledsoe fired touchdowns of 1 and 4 yards to Keith Byars and Ben Coates respectively, giving them the lead 14-10.
However, the Patriots were unable to answer any of the Packers' seventeen points in the second period, including an 81-yard strike from Favre to Antonio Freeman. As the teams went into the break, the score was 27-14 in Green Bay's favor.
Coming out in the third quarter, however, it seemed the Patriots had regrouped. A methodical drive down the field was capped off by an 18-yard run by running back, Curtis Martin. With the gap now closed to less than a touchdown, 27-21, it seemed once again momentum was firmly with the Patriots. Kick returner, Desmond Howard would take it back on the next play.
Taking the ball at the Green Bay 1-yard line, he sprinted straight up the field and through the Patriots kick defense. Seconds later, he was in the end zone for what would be final touchdown of the contest. Brett Favre would find Mark Chmura for the two-point conversion, and the Packers were ahead 35-21, which would ultimately be the final score.
The Patriots mounted several attempts to come back, but the Packers' defense solidified, including consecutive sacks by veteran defensive lineman, Reggie White.
The Packers, after stopping the Patriots, would score on their first possession as Brett Favre fired a laser to wide receiver, Andre Rison for a 54-yard touchdown. They would add a field shortly after following an interception of Patriots' quarterback, Drew Bledsoe.
The Patriots however took the momentum back before the end of the opening quarter, as Bledsoe fired touchdowns of 1 and 4 yards to Keith Byars and Ben Coates respectively, giving them the lead 14-10.
However, the Patriots were unable to answer any of the Packers' seventeen points in the second period, including an 81-yard strike from Favre to Antonio Freeman. As the teams went into the break, the score was 27-14 in Green Bay's favor.
Coming out in the third quarter, however, it seemed the Patriots had regrouped. A methodical drive down the field was capped off by an 18-yard run by running back, Curtis Martin. With the gap now closed to less than a touchdown, 27-21, it seemed once again momentum was firmly with the Patriots. Kick returner, Desmond Howard would take it back on the next play.
Taking the ball at the Green Bay 1-yard line, he sprinted straight up the field and through the Patriots kick defense. Seconds later, he was in the end zone for what would be final touchdown of the contest. Brett Favre would find Mark Chmura for the two-point conversion, and the Packers were ahead 35-21, which would ultimately be the final score.
The Patriots mounted several attempts to come back, but the Packers' defense solidified, including consecutive sacks by veteran defensive lineman, Reggie White.
First |
Second |
Third |
Fourth |
Total |
|
Packers |
10 |
14 |
8 |
0 |
35 |
Patriots |
14 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
21 |
Scoring Record
First Quarter
Packers 7, Patriots 0
TD: Andre Rison 54-yard pass from Brett Favre (Chris Jackie extra point)
Packers 10, Patriots 0
FG: Chris Jackie 37-yard kick
Packers 10, Patriots 7
TD: Keith Byars 1-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri extra point)
Packers 10, Patriots 14
TD: Ben Coates 4-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri extra point)
Second Quarter
Packers 17, Patriots 14
TD: Antonio Freeman 81-yard pass from Brett Favre (Chris Jackie extra point)
Packers 20, Patriots 14
FG: Chris Jackie 31-yard kick
Packers 27, Patriots 14
TD: Brett Favre 2-yard run (Chris Jackie extra point)
Third Quarter
Packers 27, Patriots 21
TD: Curtis Martin 18-yard run (Adam Vinatieri extra point)
Packers 35, Patriots 21
TD: Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return (Brett Favre pass to Mark Chmura for 2-point conversion)
First Quarter
Packers 7, Patriots 0
TD: Andre Rison 54-yard pass from Brett Favre (Chris Jackie extra point)
Packers 10, Patriots 0
FG: Chris Jackie 37-yard kick
Packers 10, Patriots 7
TD: Keith Byars 1-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri extra point)
Packers 10, Patriots 14
TD: Ben Coates 4-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri extra point)
Second Quarter
Packers 17, Patriots 14
TD: Antonio Freeman 81-yard pass from Brett Favre (Chris Jackie extra point)
Packers 20, Patriots 14
FG: Chris Jackie 31-yard kick
Packers 27, Patriots 14
TD: Brett Favre 2-yard run (Chris Jackie extra point)
Third Quarter
Packers 27, Patriots 21
TD: Curtis Martin 18-yard run (Adam Vinatieri extra point)
Packers 35, Patriots 21
TD: Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return (Brett Favre pass to Mark Chmura for 2-point conversion)
Game Facts and Stats
Date: Sunday 26th January 1997
Stadium: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans,Louisiana
Attendance: 72,301
MVP: Desmond Howard, KR, Green Bay Packers
TV Broadcast: FOX (Pat Summerall and John Madden)
Referee: Gerald Austin
National Anthem: Luther Vandross
Halftime Show: The Blues Brothers, James Brown, and ZZ Top
Stadium: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans,Louisiana
Attendance: 72,301
MVP: Desmond Howard, KR, Green Bay Packers
TV Broadcast: FOX (Pat Summerall and John Madden)
Referee: Gerald Austin
National Anthem: Luther Vandross
Halftime Show: The Blues Brothers, James Brown, and ZZ Top
Other Notable Game Notes
Super Bowl XXXI was the time a return specialist would win the MVP award, as Green Bay's Desmond Howard had a huge game for the Packers, including a 99-yard kickoff return.
The opening quarter would be the highest first quarter in Super Bowl history, with the teams combining for twenty-four points.
Super Bowl XXXI was the time a return specialist would win the MVP award, as Green Bay's Desmond Howard had a huge game for the Packers, including a 99-yard kickoff return.
The opening quarter would be the highest first quarter in Super Bowl history, with the teams combining for twenty-four points.
SUPER BOWL XXXII
In one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups in years, Super Bowl XXXII saw Denver's John Elway face-off against Green Bay's Brett Favre in the paradise-like setting of a warm California evening in San Diego....