1993 Green Bay Packers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Green Bay Packers
year = 1993
record = 9-7
division_place = 2nd NFC Central
coach = Mike Holmgren
stadium = Lambeau Field,
Milwaukee County Stadium
playoffs = W NFC Wild Card
L NFC DivisionalThe 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.Nickel, Lori. " [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=361602 PACKERS ROLL DICE] ", "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", 2005-10-08. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.] 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, quarterback Brett Favre led the Packers offense, passing for 3303 yards and 19 touchdowns." [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb1993.htm 1993 Green Bay Packers statistics] ", "Profootballreference.com". Retrieved on February 12, 2007.] 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.

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. [" [http://www.packers.com/history/record_book/results_and_rosters/nfl_free_agents/ NFL Free Agency 101] ", "Packers.com". Retrieved on February 10, 2007.]

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 careerpassing yards leader. [" [http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/years/1993#round8 1993 NFL Draft] ", "NFL.com". Retrieved on February 10, 2007.]

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. One one of the touchdowns, Favre completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe, who finished with seven catches for 120 yards. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24159266.shtml Sept. 5, 1993: Packers 36, Rams 6] ", "Packersnews.com", 1993-09-05. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.]

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. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24174232.shtml Sept. 12, 1993: Eagles 20, Packers 17] ", Packersnews.com, 1993-09-12. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.] 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. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24175003.shtml Sept. 26, 1993: Vikings 15, Packers 13] ", "Packersnews.com", 1993-09-26. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.] The following week, the Packers lost their third straight to defending Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24175841.shtml Oct. 3, 1993: Cowboys 36, Packers 14] ", "Packersnews.com", 1993-10-03. Retrieved on February 12, 2007.]

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 Jon 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 Jon Elway twice. After the win the Packers had another bye week. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24211815.shtml Oct. 10, 1993: Packers 30, Broncos 27] ", "Packersnews.com", 1993-10-10. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.]

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. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24212557.shtml Oct. 24, 1993: Packers 37, Buccaneers 14] ", "Packersnews.com", 1993-24-10. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.] 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. [Havel, Chris. " [http://www.packersnews.com/favre/articles/favre_24213020.shtml Oct. 31, 1993: Packers 17, Bears 3] ", "Packersnews.com", 1993-10-31. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.]

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 lateralled 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.

chedule

Awards and Records

* Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Attempts: 522
* Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Completions : 318
* Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Interceptions (tied): 24
*Robert Brooks, NFL Kickoff Return Leader
*Sterling Sharpe, NFL Leader in Receptions (112)
*Sterling Sharpe, Franchise Record, Most Receptions in a Season (112)

Milestones

*Brett Favre, First 400 Yard Passing Game (December 5)
*Sterling Sharpe, Fifth 1,000 Yard Receiving Season

References

External links

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb1993.htm 1993 Green Bay Packers] at Pro-football-reference.com