Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
1996 PACKERS SCHEDULE
Sept. 1: at Bucs, W, 34-3 (1-0) Sept. 9: vs. Eagles, W, 39-13 (2-0) Sept. 15: vs. Chargers, W, 42-10 (3-0) Sept. 22: at Vikings, L, 30-21 (3-1) Sept. 29: at Seahawks, W, 31-10 (4-1) Oct. 6: at Bears, W, 37-6 (5-1) Oct. 14: vs. 49ers, W, 23-20 (6-1) Oct. 20: Bye week
Oct. 27: vs. Bucs, W, 13-7 (7-1) Nov. 3: vs. Lions, W, 28-18 (8-1) Nov. 10: at Chiefs, L, 27-20 (8-2) Nov. 18: at Cowboys, L, 21-6 (8-3) Nov. 24: at STL Rams, W, 24-9 (9-3) Dec. 1: vs. Bears, W, 28-17 (10-3) Dec. 8: vs. Broncos, W, 41-6 (11-3) Dec. 15: at Lions, W, 31-3 (12-3) Dec. 22: vs. Vikings
ting Favre a second or two after Thomas fought through his painful groin injury to sack Favre. Instead of forcing the Packers to punt, the Lions had given them a first down with a personal-foul penalty and, six plays later, first blood on a field goal by Chris Jacke.
There was more, much more futility from the Lions.
At least for public consumption, the Green Bay players refused to kick the Lions
when they were down, but they all know the score.
“The Lions aren’t my concern,” wide receiver Antonio Freeman said. “I notice a difference in discipline with our team. And it starts with the coaches.”
The Packers were far from paragons of perfection, at least early. Aaron Taylor’s holding penalty wiped out Edgar Bennett’s 12-yard touchdown on a throwback screen pass, Favre compounded a bad read with a bad throw for an endzone interception and Don Beebe’s inexplicable decision not to get out of bounds prevented a 30-yard field goal by Jacke at the end of the first half.
“We had six penalties in a row at one point,” Holmgren said with semi-exaggeration. “I just refuse to accept that type of play.”
So the Packers responded with championship-level play in the second half.
Keith Jackson, Beebe and Freeman made sensational catches. Driven by an offensive line that took control against Detroit backups, the running game came alive. And Favre made some great throws.
Mitchell, knocked around early by Reggie White and Sean Jones, dropped back 44 times and didn’t complete a pass for more than 15 yards until 23 seconds remained.
“It’s just amazing how well we’re playing on defense this year,” defensive assistant Johnny Holland said.
“It’s come with the total package that we have.”