2002 Green Bay Packers season
Encyclopedia
During the 2002 Green Bay Packers
season, the team completed a 12-4 regular season with before losing in the Wild Card playoff round to Michael Vick
's Atlanta Falcons
at Lambeau Field
. It marked the first time in NFL history that the Packers had lost at home in the playoffs.
In 2001, the Packers achieved the franchise’s best record since 1997, finishing 12-4 and advancing the divisional round of the playoffs. There the Packers lost to the eventual NFC champion St. Louis Rams. During the game, it became clear that the Packers would need wide receivers with greater speed and ability to compete with the conference’s best teams. GM Mike Sherman
spent the 2002 offseason revamping Green Bay’s receiving corps. The team promoted Donald Driver
to starter, acquired veteran Terry Glenn
from the New England Patriots
, and drafted Javon Walker
in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft
. The influx of new players seemed to position the Packers as one of the strongest contenders in the NFC.
Green Bay started the season with a dominating 8-1 record, led by the brilliant play of quarterback Brett Favre
and power running game of Ahman Green
. The Packers maintained a commanding division lead throughout the year, winning the NFC North by a six-game margin. Green Bay became the first team to win the newly rechristened division, formerly known as the NFC Central. It was the Packers’ first division title since 1997, and the team would win the NFC North for three consecutive seasons.
For the first time in years, it appeared that the Packers had a legitimate chance of reaching the Super Bowl
. With one game left, Green Bay was 12-3, and a victory away from clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Packers had never lost a home playoff game in franchise history, had achieved an 8-0 record at home in 2002, and had established a run of Lambeau Field dominance since the Mike Holmgren era. As a result, playing home games at Lambeau Field would seemingly give the Packers a significant advantage in the playoffs. The final game was on the road against the New York Jets
, who beat the Packers’ handily to win the AFC East
division title. The loss was a devastating blow to the Packers. The team was bumped down to a number three seed in the NFC, and had an incredibly difficult road to the Super Bowl. Six days later, the Packers were beaten by Michael Vick’s Atlanta Falcons, the first home playoff loss in Packers history.
The 2002 season was another memorable year for quarterback Brett Favre. Throughout the season, Favre was a favorite to win his fourth Most Valuable Player award. The Packers’ lopsided loss to the Jets in the regular season finale may have swayed voters, as Favre lost the MVP award by merely two votes to Raiders’ quarterback Rich Gannon
.
with their first round pick.
Players highlighted in yellow indicate players selected to the Pro Bowl
during their NFL career.
crown by a six game margin.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
season, the team completed a 12-4 regular season with before losing in the Wild Card playoff round to Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
's Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
at Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field...
. It marked the first time in NFL history that the Packers had lost at home in the playoffs.
In 2001, the Packers achieved the franchise’s best record since 1997, finishing 12-4 and advancing the divisional round of the playoffs. There the Packers lost to the eventual NFC champion St. Louis Rams. During the game, it became clear that the Packers would need wide receivers with greater speed and ability to compete with the conference’s best teams. GM Mike Sherman
Mike Sherman
Michael Francis "Mike" Sherman is the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies football team. Prior to coaching the Aggies, he served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from the 2000–05 seasons. Sherman led the Packers to five consecutive winning seasons from 2000–04 and three divisional titles...
spent the 2002 offseason revamping Green Bay’s receiving corps. The team promoted Donald Driver
Donald Driver
Donald Jerome Driver is an American football wide receiver and children's author. He plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
to starter, acquired veteran Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
from the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, and drafted Javon Walker
Javon Walker
Javon Lataff Walker is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers 20th overall of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
. The influx of new players seemed to position the Packers as one of the strongest contenders in the NFC.
Green Bay started the season with a dominating 8-1 record, led by the brilliant play of quarterback Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
and power running game of Ahman Green
Ahman Green
Ahman Rashad Green is a retired American football running back. He is the all-time leading rusher for the Green Bay Packers. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 3rd round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
. The Packers maintained a commanding division lead throughout the year, winning the NFC North by a six-game margin. Green Bay became the first team to win the newly rechristened division, formerly known as the NFC Central. It was the Packers’ first division title since 1997, and the team would win the NFC North for three consecutive seasons.
For the first time in years, it appeared that the Packers had a legitimate chance of reaching the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
. With one game left, Green Bay was 12-3, and a victory away from clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Packers had never lost a home playoff game in franchise history, had achieved an 8-0 record at home in 2002, and had established a run of Lambeau Field dominance since the Mike Holmgren era. As a result, playing home games at Lambeau Field would seemingly give the Packers a significant advantage in the playoffs. The final game was on the road against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who beat the Packers’ handily to win the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
division title. The loss was a devastating blow to the Packers. The team was bumped down to a number three seed in the NFC, and had an incredibly difficult road to the Super Bowl. Six days later, the Packers were beaten by Michael Vick’s Atlanta Falcons, the first home playoff loss in Packers history.
The 2002 season was another memorable year for quarterback Brett Favre. Throughout the season, Favre was a favorite to win his fourth Most Valuable Player award. The Packers’ lopsided loss to the Jets in the regular season finale may have swayed voters, as Favre lost the MVP award by merely two votes to Raiders’ quarterback Rich Gannon
Rich Gannon
Richard Joseph Gannon is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League...
.
2002 NFL draft
In the 2002 NFL draft, the Packers selected 20th overall, drafting future all-pro wide receiver Javon WalkerJavon Walker
Javon Lataff Walker is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers 20th overall of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
with their first round pick.
| Round | Sel# | Player | Pos. | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | Javon Walker | WR | Florida State |
| 3 | 92 | Marques Anderson Marques Anderson Marques Anderson is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in from UCLA.Anderson also played for the Oakland Raiders,... |
FS | UCLA |
| 4 | 135 | Najeh Davenport Najeh Davenport Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
RB | Miami |
| 5 | 156 | Aaron Kampman Aaron Kampman Aaron Allan Kampman is an American football defensive end and linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was drafted by Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa.... |
DE | Iowa |
| 5 | 164 | Craig Nall Craig Nall Craig Matthew Nall is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
QB | Northwestern State, La. |
| 6 | 200 | Mike Houghton Mike Houghton Mike Houghton is a former guard in the National Football League.-Biography:Houghton was born Michael Christopher Houghton on December 1, 1979 in Northridge, California.-Career:... |
T | San Diego State |
Players highlighted in yellow indicate players selected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
during their NFL career.
Preseason results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | Record | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 10, 2002 | at Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 13–20 | Veterans Stadium Veterans Stadium Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex... |
0-1 | |
| August 17, 2002 | at Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 29-21 | Sun Devil Stadium Sun Devil Stadium Sun Devil Stadium is an outdoor football stadium, located on the campus of Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, United States. The stadium's current seating capacity is 71,706 and the playing surface is natural grass... |
1-1 | |
| August 26, 2002 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 27-20 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
2-1 | |
| August 30, 2002 | Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W 21-20 | Lambeau Field | 3-1 | |
Schedule
The Packers finished 12-4 overall, winning the NFC NorthNFC North
The NFC North is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference, based in the Upper Midwest region of the United States...
crown by a six game margin.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | Record | TV Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 8, 2002 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 37-34 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
1-0 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 2 | September 15, 2002 | at New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
L 20-35 | Louisiana Superdome | 1-1 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 3 | September 22, 2002 | at Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
W 37-31 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
2-1 | FOX 4:15pm | |
| 4 | September 29, 2002 | Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
W 17-14 | Lambeau Field | 3-1 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 5 | October 7, 2002 | at Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 34-21 | Memorial Stadium (Champaign) Memorial Stadium (Champaign) thumb|right|300px|Original plan for Memorial Stadium circa 1921. Caption from [[Popular Mechanics]] Magazine, 1921Memorial Stadium is a football stadium located in Champaign, Illinois, in the United States, on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The stadium is dedicated as... |
4-1 | ABC 9:00pm | |
| 6 | October 13, 2002 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
W 28-10 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
5-1 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 7 | October 20, 2002 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 30-9 | Lambeau Field | 6-1 | FOX 4:15pm | |
| 8 | Bye | ||||||
| 9 | November 4, 2002 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 24-10 | Lambeau Field | 7-1 | ABC 9:00pm | |
| 10 | November 10, 2002 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
W 40-14 | Lambeau Field | 8-1 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 11 | November 17, 2002 | at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
L 21-31 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
8-2 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 12 | November 24, 2002 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
L 7-21 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
8-3 | FOX 4:15pm | |
| 13 | December 1, 2002 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 30-20 | Lambeau Field | 9-3 | FOX 1:00pm | |
| 14 | December 8, 2002 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W 26-22 | Lambeau Field | 10-3 | ESPN 8:30pm | |
| 15 | December 15, 2002 | at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
W 20-14 | 3Com Park | 11-3 | FOX 4:15pm | |
| 16 | December 22, 2002 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 10-0 | Lambeau Field | 12-3 | CBS 1:00pm | |
| 17 | December 29, 2002 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 17-42 | The Meadowlands Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
12-4 | FOX 4:15pm | |
Playoffs
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Game site | TV Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcard | January 4, 2003 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 7-27 | Lambeau Field | ABC 7:30pm | |
Awards and records
- Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Attempts (551)
- Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Completions (341)
- Brett Favre, NFC Leader(tied), Touchdown Passes (27)