There is no franchise in the NFL with a more rich history and tradition than the Green Bay Packers. Since their inception in 1919, the Packers have won 13 championships, more than any other NFL team. In this article, the three best Packers Championship teams will be highlighted. Due to the changing nature of football, one team from each era was selected: 1920/30s, 1960s, and modern-day.
Best Iron-Era Team- 1929 Green Bay Packers: 12-0-1
The first Packers team to win a NFL Championship is our selection for the best, most dominant Packers team of that era. Back then, the team with the best season record was crowned Champion. The 1929 Packers receive the nod because of their near perfect record.
Just how good was this team? The Green Bay Packers did not allow an opponent to score more than six points in a game during the entire 1929 season. In addition, they won seven of their games by shutout, and their one tie ended in 0-0. In five of their shutouts, the Packers scored at least 20 points. At season’s end, the Packers had outscored their opponents 198-22.
There were several notable Packers greats who were a part of this first title-winning team. Of course, Curly Lambeau, co-founder of the organization, was the head coach. 1929 was also the last time Lambeau appeared in a game, as he played one game during this championship season. Other notable Hall of Fame players on this squad were Johnny “Blood” McNally, Robert “Cal” Hubbard, and Mike Michalske.
Best Lombardi Era Team- 1962 Green Bay Packers: 13-1
The winners of a second NFL Championship in a row get the nod here over the later teams who would win three championships in a row, including the first two Superbowls. The 1962 Packers had the highest ranked offense and defense in the league that year and, overall, dominated their opponents. The Packers averaged nearly 30 points per game in 1962 while their opponents averaged just over 10.
Highlights of the 1962 season include three shutouts by the defense. Two of these were 49-0 victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears. Many of the players on the 1962 roster were named to the Pro Bowl or chosen as All Pro’s:
- Bart Starr
- Tom Moore
- Jim Taylor
- Ron Kramer
- Willie Wood
- Herb Adderley
- Jerry Kramer
- Willie Davis
- Bill Forester
- Henry Jordan
- Dan Currie
- Jim Ringo
The above list does not even include Paul Hornung or Max McGee, who were also on the team. Neither does it include Hall of Famers Forrest Gregg or Ray Nitschke. To use a modern-day term, this team was stacked! After a 13-1 regular season, the Packers defeated the New York Giants in the Championship by a score of 16-7.
Best Modern Era Team- 1996 Green Bay Packers: 13-3
The Superbowl XXXI winners get the nod over the Superbowl XLV team because the Brett Favre-led Packers dominated the NFL all season long. The 2010 team barely got into the playoffs and got hot at the right time. This does not, in any way, take away from the 2010 team’s win. However, if we are discussing the best team of the era, it is easily the 1996 Packers.
The ’96 team, coached by Mike Holmgren, had the NFL’s first-ranked defense and first-ranked offense. The offense, led by NFL MVP Brett Favre, scored 28.5 points per game. The defense, led by Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White, allowed only 13.1 points per game.
The ’96 Packers steamrolled through the playoffs, scoring over 30 points in each game. The most points they allowed against them was in the Superbowl against the New England Patriots, which they won 35-21. The Superbowl win ended a 29-year championship drought for the franchise.
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