The New England Patriots are the epitome of what good ol’ Mike McCarthy would have called an “uncommon opponent.” They’ve been around for more than 50 years, but the Packers have only encountered them 13 times, and that counts their matchup in Super Bowl XXXI.
But there’s still no shortage of big statistical performances on the Packers’ side of these matchups, and, as always, looking back gives us a great chance to Remember Some Guys. And that remembering takes us all the way from the unremarkable
days of the late 1980s to the Super Bowl and beyond.
Most passing yards – 368 (Aaron Rodgers, 2014)
Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady squared off exactly once when both teams were at anything resembling full strength, and it was a game for the ages. Aaron Rodgers barbecued the Patriots’ secondary to the tune of 368 yards and two touchdowns, including a magnificent 45-yard catch and run by Jordy Nelson just before halftime.
Most rushing yards – 136 (Ahman Green, 2002)
The Packers traveled to New England on a rainy October day in 2002 to face off against the defending Super Bowl champs and came away with a convincing 28-10 win. Ahman Green fueled most of the offensive effort, carrying 31 times for 136 yards, scoring a touchdown as well. He also added 21 more yards and a touchdown on three catches.
136 yards wouldn’t even be Green’s best day of the 2002 season. By the time he ran over the Patriots, he’d already put up a 155-yard day against the Atlanta Falcons in the season opener.
Most receiving yards – 132 (Sterling Sharpe, 1994)
You could always count on Sterling Sharpe to do great things, even in a losing effort. In 1994, the Packers came up short against the Patriots, allowing a game-winning drive and a go-ahead field goal with just seconds remaining. But Sharpe held up his end of the bargain, recording 132 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Whatever happened down the stretch, he wasn’t to blame!
Most points scored – 18 (Brent Fullwood, 1988)
One of the most obscure names on our list today, Fullwood scored three touchdowns in a 1988 beatdown of the Patriots.
The final score was 45-3, but amusingly, Fullwood didn’t get in on the action until the Packers were already up 17-3. But a 33-yard run midway through the third quarter started the deluge, and he added touchdown runs of seven and 31 yards in the fourth quarter to get the blowout really rolling. He finished with a spectacularly efficient 118 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries.
Sacks – 3 (Reggie White, 1996)
The Minister of Defense had famously never won a championship at any level when he joined the Green Bay Packers, but he more than did his part in Super Bowl XXXI. He took down Drew Bledsoe three times to put the game away late, including two on back to back plays to close out the third quarter.
But fans of a certain age will remember that White’s performance, great as it was, was hardly the only standout play that day. More on that in a second.
Solo tackles – 11 (Marques Anderson, 2002)
In the same game where Ahman Green ran wild in New England, Marques Anderson did plenty of work on defense. The rookie safety racked up 11 solo tackles (and an interception) to fuel a defensive effort that suffocated Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Interceptions – 2 (Ron Pitts, 1988)
Brent Fullwood did the bulk of the damage on offense in the Packers’ 1988 beatdown of the Patriots, but Ron Pitts set the table on defense. He ended two Patriots’ drives with interceptions, but he had company. The Packers intercepted Patriots quarterbacks Doug Flutie and Steve Grogan five times that day to cement the all-around blowout.
Return yards – 248 (Desmond Howard, 1996)
We couldn’t not mention this one. Reggie White was great in Super Bowl XXXI, but Desmond Howard was transcendent. He piled up 248 total yards on kickoff and punt returns, including a 99-yard touchdown that’s etched into Packers’ lore, and was named Super Bowl MVP for his efforts.
