Game Summary

By Pat Stiegman
Journal Sentinel Online Sports Editor

Jan. 26, 1997

FIRST QUARTER

Winning isn't the only thing, but timing is. And after nearly 30 years, from the '60s to the '90s, from Lombardi to Holmgren, from Starr to Favre, the Green Bay Packers returned to the Super Bowl. In the not-so-glorious years since Super Bowl II have been coaches such as Bengston, Devine, Starr, Gregg and Infante; QBs such as Hunter, Tagge, Hadl, Dickey, Whitehurst, Wright and Majkowski; receivers such as Payne, Coffman, Lofton, Stanley and Sharpe; backs such as Brockington, Lane, Harrell, Middleton, Ivery, Ellis, Fullwood and Thompson; defenders such as McCoy, Carter, Buchanon, Gray, Noble, Martin, Johnson, Anderson, Lee, Murphy and Buckley; and more losing seasons than winning seasons, more heartbreaking losses than heart-stopping victories.

And now, Jan. 26, 1997, the Green Bay Packers face the New England Patriots in quest of a record 12th NFL Championship to add to those won in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967; in quest of a third Super Bowl victory to go with those claimed in SB I (1967) and SB II (1968); in quest of returning the Vince Lombardi Trophy to its rightful home in Green Bay, Wis.

After the introduction of the Patriot offensive and Packer defensive units, New England won the coin toss and elected to receive. Green Bay then kicked off Super Bowl XXXI with Craig Hentrich's kick, returned to the Patriot 20 by Hason Graham.

Curtis Martin opened Super Bowl scrimmage play with a 1-yard plunge off right tackle. Drew Bledsoe then drilled a strike to Shawn Jefferson to the Patriot 35, a first down. Martin returned on the ground game on play three and again was stuffed, this time by Craig Newsome for no gain. Martin's ensuing carry on a draw play gained just 2, setting up a third-and-8 for the Pats. Bledsoe tried to find Dave Meggett in the right flat, but the ball was thrown to high, fell incomplete an prompted a Tom Tupa punt. Desmond Howard immediately made his presence felt, returning Tupa's punt 32 yards along the left sideline to give Green Bay its first possession at the 44.

Two-time NFL MVP Brett Favre brought the Packer offense to the line of scrimmage with 12:19 to play in the first quarter. The first play was a give to the left side to Edgar Bennett, who scratched out a yard. On second-and-9, Favre and the Packers struck immediately, with the QB ripping a 54-yard touchdown pass to Andre Rison. Rison, the midseason acquisition, simply blew past New England's Otis Smith, caught the pass in stride at the 20 and raced untouched into the end zone for the score. It was the first TD the Patriot defense has allowed in the postseason. Chris Jacke converted. Packers 7, Patriots 0.

Hentrich's ensuing kickoff was downed for a touchback, giving the Pats the ball at their own 20. On the Pats' second possession, Bledsoe dumped off to Martin for his second completion, a 1-yard gain. Green Bay's defense then struck with a big play of its own, with Doug Evans stepping in front a Bledsoe pass to Terry Glenn and making a juggling interception. Green Bay took over at the New England 28.

Favre was pressured on first down and was buried for a sack by Ferric Collons for a 10-yard loss. On second-and-20, Dorsey Levens got the call on the draw and regained 4 of the lost yards. With four wideouts, Favre instead threw short to Levens on the screen, a play that went for 14 yards, a yard shy of the marker. Chris Jacke came on for a 37-yard field goal and converted with 8:42 to play in the quarter. Packers 10, Patriots 0.

Meggett returned Hentrich's kickoff to the Pats' 20. Starting New England's third possession, Bledsoe badly underthrew Keith Byars on a first-down deflection by Santana Dotson. A second-down screen pass to Byars turned into the biggest play of the game thus far for the Pats, with the big fullback bulling his way up field into Green Bay territory at the 47. Bledsoe's outside pitch to Martin moved the ball inside the Packer 30, with the back skipping off two tackles on the right side. Bledsoe's ensuing screen pass was far off the mark, with the QB hurried by a blitzing Evans. Guard Bob Kratch was flagged for illegally touching the ball as the pass hit him in the hip. Gabe Wilkins batted down Bledsoe's next pass at the line of scrimmage. On third-and-10 from the Packer 27, Bledsoe overthrew Jefferson in the end zone, but Green Bay's Craig Newsome was flagged for pass interference on the play. The miscue put the ball at the Packer 1-yard line. Bledsoe then converted by faking the inside handoff and drilling a 1-yard TD pass to Byars in the back of the end zone. Adam Vinatieri converted. Packers 10, Patriots 7.

Howard returned the ensuing kickoff just 13 yards to the Packer 18. Bennett tried to sweep right behind Henderson on first down, but was stuffed for a loss of 4 by Chris Slade. Slade followed with another stop on Levens, setting up a third-and-12 for the Packers. Favre gunned a pass into triple-coverage that Antonio Freeman couldn't grab, prompting Hentrich's first punt. Meggett caught the ball at the Patriot 44 and lost 2 on the return, stopping at the 42 with 4:44 to play in the quarter.

Bledsoe play-faked on first down and hit Martin in the left flat for a gain of 6. Martin pounded the ball into Packer territory, but came up a yard shy of the first at the 49. On third-and-1, Bledsoe play-faked again and lofted a 44-yard pass to Glenn who got past Eugene Robinson for the huge catch. Working from the Packer 5, Bledsoe rolled right and found tight end Ben Coates for the touchdown. Vinatieri converted. Patriots 14, Packers 10.

Howard's ensuing return gave the Packers possession at the 26. Favre looked for an open Rison on the left boundary, but the wideout slipped at the ball sailed over his head. Favre went short on a slant to Levens for 4, making it third-and-6. Favre was buried by a blitzing Tedy Bruschi for a 3-yard loss, prompting another Hentrich punt. Meggett returned the ball to the Pats' 33 after the 57-yard kick.

Bledsoe threw incomplete on first down and followed with a give to Martin on the draw for a gain of 5. On third-and-5, Bledsoe threw deep down the near boundary for Jefferson, but Green Bay's Tyrone Williams swatted the ball away, prompting a Tupa punt. Howard made a man miss at the 11 on the return, but could only reach the Packer 15 with 3 seconds left in the quarter. Favre rolled left and made an underhanded flip to Levens for 5 on the final play of the period.

SECOND QUARTER

Working from the Patriot 42, Bledsoe threw incomplete on first down. His next pass, toward a crossing Coates, also fell incomplete, making it third-and-10. Pressured by a blitzing Doug Evans, Bledsoe simply dumped the ball off incomplete, a three-and-out that led to Tupa's punt. Howard was stopped quickly at the Packer 17 with 14:14 to play in the half.

Green Bay quickly regained the lead when Favre ripped a line drive to Freeman on the right boundary and the Packer wideout ran untouched for 81 yards, the longest TD pass in Super Bowl history. Freeman burst past Lawyer Milloy and Freeman accelerated for the TD. Jacke converted. Packers 17, Patriots 14.

On the Pats' ensuing possession, a Bledsoe completion and 2-yard Martin run worked for a first down to the New England 36. Pressured by Reggie White after the play fake, Bledsoe threw the ball away. On second-and-10, Martin scratched out 2 on the draw to the 38. Bledsoe then went down for the first time in the game, with safety LeRoy Butler ripping both blocker Meggett and Bledsoe to the turf for a 9-yard loss. Howard returned Tupa's ensuing 51-yard punt 34 yards into New England territory at the 47.

After a 1-yard Bennett run, Favre went back to the air and hit a crossing Rison to the Patriot 24. Favre went looking for Rison in the end zone, but simply threw the ball out of the back of the end zone. Levens got the call inside and pushed his way for a Packer first at the Patriot 11. Bennett then tried the right side, bouncing outside of Earl Dotson for a loss of 2. A screen pass to Levens fell short, making it third-and-12. Favre stepped up in the pocket and threw toward Rison, who failed to make the leaping catch in the end zone. Chris Jacke came on for the second time and converted, blasting a 31-yard field goal. Packers 20, Patriots 14.

New England started at its own 25 and Bledsoe immediately went for Coates for 18. Blasted by a blitzing Butler, Bledsoe threw incomplete, making it second-and-10. Double-pumping, Bledsoe threw an airball down the middle of the field toward Jefferson that was intercepted by Green Bay's Mike Prior, Bledsoe's second pick of the game. Prior returned the ball to the Green Bay 26.

Trying to capitalize on the turnover again, Favre threw to Keith Jackson on the far perimeter for a gain of 10. Bennett bounced for a yard on first down. A quick slant to Freeman was batted away by Otis Smith, but the Patriot corner was flagged for interference on the play. Working from the 44 on first down, Favre connected with Freeman on a post at the Patriot 34. Levens then turned the left corner behind Aaron Taylor and Adam Timmerman for 5. Levens followed with a punishing run inside the 20, a first-down rush to the 19.

A third straight running play, this one an off-tackle effort by Bennett, went for 1 yard. Working with three wideouts, Favre stayed on the ground, giving to Levens on a right sweep that picked up another 6 on the final play before the 2-minute warning. Levens, on Green Bay's fifth straight run, stretched right and sliced his way behind Mark Chmura for a first down at the Pats' 2. Rolling left, Favre made a mad dash for the goal line pylon and just stuck the nose of the football into the end zone, breaking the plane, before going out of bounds, a 2-yard TD run. Jacke converted. Packers 27, Patriots 14.

Starting from the New England 22, Bledsoe threw complete over the middle to Coates on a crossing pattern. The Patriots then used their first timeout with 58 seconds to play in the half. Another first-down pickup, this on a 10-yard pass to Glenn, was followed by a quick slant to Martin and a second timeout with :35 left. Bledsoe's quick out to Vincent Brisby stopped the clock on an out of bounds run with :30 left. On third-and-3 from the Packer 47, Bledsoe threw incomplete, stopping the clock at :26. Going for it on fourth down, Bledsoe was nearly intercepted by Brian Williams; regardless, but knocking down the pass, the Packer defense regained the ball on downs for Green Bay.

Favre gave a thought of looking downfield, but was sacked on first down. The Packers then ran out the clock on the half, going to the locker room with a 13-point lead.

THIRD QUARTER

Starting from his own 44, Bledsoe fired to Jefferson on a quick hook. A second straight completion, this one to Keith Byars, pushed the ball to the Packer 41. Sean Jones batted the ensuing pass at the line of scrimmage, making it second-and-10. Facing yet another safety blitz by Butler, Bledsoe overthrew a streaking Jefferson. Tupa came on to punt and Howard made the fair catch at the 11 with 8:07 to play in the third quarter.

Green Bay, unbeaten in 11 games in which it led at halftime this season, tried to work out of its own end, but Favre was pasted by Otis Smith on a corner blitz for a 7-yard sack. On second-and-17, Favre pump-faked and overthrew, making it third and long. Bennett got the ball on an inside run, allowing Hentrich some breathing room for the fourth-down punt. Meggett returned the kick from the Pats' 42 to the 48 with 6:52 to play in the period.

After a 4-yard Martin run, Bledsoe was dragged down near the line of scrimmage by Sean Jones. On third-and-5, Bledsoe rifled a pass to Coates, who bobbled the ball, spun away from Butler and made the catch and a first down. Working from the Packer 45, Bledsoe faked the reverse and overthrew Martin on the near boundary. Bledsoe, with plenty of passing time, found a crossing Jefferson near the marker. The ball was marked 6 inches shy of the first, making it third and short. Martin busted off the left side for the first down and more, stretching inside the Red Zone to the Packer 17. Green Bay cornerback Craig Newsome was slow to rise after the play. Martin followed immediately with a slicing, dicing 17-run up the middle for a touchdown. An offsides penalty on Green Bay's Darius Holland was declined, allowing the TD to stand up. Vinatieri converted with 3:27 to play in the quarter. Packers 27, Patriots 21.

Talk about quick response. The ever-dangerous Desmond Howard immediately struck back for the Pack, taking the ensuing kickoff 99-yards up the left sideline for Green Bay touchdown. Working his way up through the wedge and snaking to the left sideline, Howard converted on his fifth touchdown return of the season and the longest kickoff return for a score in Super Bowl history. Green Bay thought of going for two on the conversion, but called timeout first. The patience paid off, with Favre hitting Chmura in the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion. Packers 35, Patriots 21.

The Patriots started at their own 25 and Bledsoe quickly hit Byars for 5. Reggie White followed with his first sack of the game, burying Bledsoe on his back at the Patriot 22. White followed with a second huge play, again sacking Bledsoe at the 12 as the Packers threatened to take over the game. Tupa came in to punt and smartly kicked the ball out of bounds, away from Howard.

With 1:14 to play in the quarter, the Packer offense took over at the 37. Levens scratched out a yard on first down. Scrambling right, Favre broke to midfield before sliding in for a first down on the final play of the period.

FOURTH QUARTER

Martin was stuffed for no gain on first down. A swing pass to Meggett gained 1 and Bledsoe threw incomplete on third down, a three-and-out that prompted a Tupa punt. Howard was merely mortal this time, returning the 52-yard punt 9 yards with 12:31 to play.

Starting from the Packer 40, Favre was forced from the pocket, scrambled and hit Bennett for 5. Bennett took it on the ground this time, picking and choosing his way through the middle for a 8-yard game to the Patriot 47. Bennett tried to elude Johnson on the next play, but lost 2. Favre tried to hit Freeman on an audiblized boundary pass, bu the ball sailed high and incomplete. With 10:10 to play, Favre had his pass go in and out of the hands of Chmura, prompting a Hentrich punt. Meggett made a fair catch at the 13.

Bledsoe hit Coaches for 5 on first down and, running a hurry-up attack, followed with a quick out to Meggett for 3. Bledsoe then went back to Coates for a first down at the 33. On a draw play, Meggett was stuffed by Dotson for no gain. Bledsoe then tried to hit Jefferson aon a streak and was summarily intercepted by Newsome, the third pick of the game for the Patriot QB.

With 8:14 to play, Green Bay started at its own 31, trying to capitalize on the Pats' third turnover. Bennett was stopped by Todd Collins for no gain on first down. Bennett followed with a right-end sweep, working for 5. With 6:45 to play, the Packers called a timeout. On third-and-3, Favre found Freeman shy of the marker. However, flags flew after the play, with Patriot safety Willie Clay penalized for unecessary roughness for slapping the ball away from Freeman after the play. The foolish mistake gave the Packers an automatic first down at the Patriot 43. Levens followed with a left run to the 36. On second-and-3, Bennett bulled his way for 1. The Patriots stopped the clock with a timeout at the 5:30 mark. Before the snap, Bruce Wilkerson was flagged for a false start, pushing the Packers back 5 yards. On third-and-7, Levens worked his way to the 35, just past of the marker, making it first down. Still milking the clock, Bennett bounced to the 32 before the Pats stopped the clock with 4:47 to play. Bennett nudged to the 29 as the clock kept ticking near the 4-minute mark. Favre wound up and tried to hit Rison for a TD on the left sideline, but Smith managed to knock the ball free. Chris Jacke came on for his third field goal try, but pushed the 47-yarder wide right with 3:56 to play.

Bledsoe badly underthrew Brisby on first down. Working from the Patriot 36, Meggett took Bledsoe's pass for 6 before getting out of bounds with 3:46 left. Santana Dotson and Reggie White then collapsed the pocket and buried Bledsoe for a sack back to the 35. Tupa came on to punt and Howard ripped off another fine run, a 20-yarder. However, a holding penalty on Tyrone Williams brought the ball back.

With 3:11 to play, Green Bay took over at its 25. Bennett worked for 1 on first down and added 2 on second as the clocked ticked near the 2-minute warning. The Patriots then used their final timeout with 2:18 to play. Favre tried to throw on first down, but was sacked by Bruschi, stopping the clock at the 2-minute warning and bringing on Hentrich.

Starting from the Patriot 35, Drew Bledsoe was dumped for the third time by Reggie White, who busted in from the left side for the 10-yard sack. Bledsoe then threw incomplet on second down. With 1:27 to play, Bledsoe rolled right and completed to Brisby, just before a hit by Newsome. Green Bay then put the defensive capper on the game when Brisby bobbled Bledsoe's pass, Newsome pounded him and Brian Williams caught the deflected ball for an interception.

With 50 seconds to play and the ball at the Patriot 21, Favre kneeled down and began running out the clock on what will be Green Bay's third Super Bowl Championship. Punt returner Desmond Howard was named the game's MVP. As the clock ran out, Coach Mike Holmgren got the victory ride off the field for Green Bay's Super Bowl XXXI championship.

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