The NFL implemented new overtime rules to appease the fans that think losing is unfair. Even further, Packer Nation makes itself feel better by saying their favorite quarterback would’ve won more, as if he wouldn’t have choked in OT. Since Brett Favre took over, the Packers have played in 6 overtime playoff games. They’re on a 5-game losing streak, you do the math.
1. 2003 vs. Seattle W 33-27 (Packers lost the coin toss)
The first of which, the only one, they won. Many old enough will remember Matt Hasselbeck’s famous words, “We want the ball and we’re gonna score!” The Packers never touched the ball in overtime, yet still found a way to win.
2. 2003 @ Philadelphia L 17-20 (Packers lost coin toss, possessed the ball)
The Packers squandered multiple opportunities in this game, as does any loser in any game. With 2 minutes left in the first half, Head Coach Mike Sherman decided to go for in on 4th and Goal from the Philadelphia 1, up 14-7. A decision that would’ve taken it to a 2-score game when Green Bay was receiving the kickoff after the half. Most fans love Going For It, yet early in the game, it’s wise to take the points as one’s not sure how it’ll play out until later.
Most will remember this being the 4th & 26 game, however for yours truly, it sticks on my craw as Sherman outthinking himself AND Favre chucking one of the dumbest interceptions in NFL history. After the Eagles won the toss in overtime, they went 3 & out. Favre promptly got the ball on the Green Bay 42, suffered a holding call, so on 1st & 20 chucked a deep ball where no one but Brian Dawkins was, thus ending the Packers’ season. Opportunities missed.
3. 2007 vs New York L 20-23 (Packers won toss)
Quite possibly the second-most memorable Packer postseason loss, more squandered opportunities. With 6:49 left in the game, Green Bay took over at their own 33 after a NY missed FG. Favre promptly went 3 & out. The defense got Favre the ball back again with 2:48 left on their own 17 – stop me if you’ve heard this before – then went 3 & out. The Giants missed another field goal. The Packers won the toss in overtime, an automatic win, right? On 2nd & 8, Favre somehow threw an INT (pic above) when everyone was open.
4. 2009 @ Arizona L 45-51 (Packers won toss, Rodgers’ turn)
In this example, Rodgers came through in the 2nd half, scoring 5 touchdowns on “6 possessions.” The last possession of the half was a 1-play kneel down to get to overtime. The Cardinals missed a 34-yard field goal to win, sending the game to overtime. The Packers won the toss, in a game where the offenses scored the most points in postseason history, game over, unfair for the Cardinals, right?!?!
On the first play of overtime (2:05:00 mark of video) Rodgers misses a wide open Greg Jennings for a game-winning touchdown. Two plays later, on 3rd & 6 from the GB 24, Rodgers fumbled the ball away, even kicked it up for Ari LB Dansby to “pick it off” for a touchdown. Technically there should’ve been a facemask penalty, the point is there were plenty of opportunities to win the game prior, 1st possession interception, a fumble on the 2nd possession, a missed field goal on the 4th possession. The biggest miss? The streaking Jennings on the first play of overtime.
5. 2014 @ Seattle L 22-28 (Packers lost toss)
The most famous, or most forgettable, Packers postseason loss is likely this one. There were multiple articles written about every thing that led to the (at the time) worst collapse in NFL history. What all Rodgers-defenders seem to, conveniently, forget is the Packers scored a combined 6 points off 5 (yes, FIVE) Seattle turnovers.
While most blame McCarthy for going uber-conservative, I’ll give that, considering Rodgers wasn’t able to check out of anything at this point in his career. The D was balling and the offense scored a combined 19 points even getting 5 free possessions. In overtime, the D was gassed (choked), and Rodgers never got the ball, even though he led a game-tying drive at the end for a field goal. Too little too late, way too many missed opportunities.
6. 2015 @ Arizona L 20-26 (Packers lost toss)
Lastly, or most recently, what’s known as the Hail Mary Game amongst some in Packer Nation – Aaron Rodgers had plenty of opportunities to win. The one that hurts the most is with 3:44 left in the game, down 17-13, and only 2 timeouts, it was 4-down territory. On 4th & 5 from their 25, Rodgers skips a 6-yard out route to James Jones. The defense held the Cardinals to a field goal, thus setting up the Jeff Janis show.
In closing, in all 3 overtime playoff games Rodgers has played in, he’s had ample opportunities to win in regulation, and even possessed the ball FIRST in one of the OTs, still found a way to lose in all 3. When he was down with a chance to win, never came through. When down with a chance to tie, he did that. You need a tie, he’s your guy…unless it’s at home vs. Tom Brady.
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