Packers: Ranking the Top 10 moments of the decade

What have been the Top 10 moments of the past decade for the Green Bay Packers?

Throughout the decade there have been some wild and exciting times for the Green Bay Packers.

The team brought home the Lombardi Trophy, went on incredible runs, made unbelievable plays and pulled off some nice offseason moves.

As the decade comes to an end, it was hard to put this list together as there are other worthy considerations, but here are the top 10 moments of the decade for the Packers.

10. The 2019 offseason

This might be a bit premature to put the 2019 offseason in here, but it has shaped the Packers this season and for the future.

Green Bay signed Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, who have combined for 25.5 sacks. Then, the Packers signed 26-year-old safety Adrian Amos from the Chicago Bears and 28-year-old offensive lineman Billy Turner from the Denver Broncos. The 2019 offseason also featured the draft picks of Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, and Elgton Jenkins.

Also, this past offseason featured a coaching change from Mike McCarthy to Matt LaFleur, which has resulted in a 2019 playoff berth, an NFC North title and first-round bye.

9. Aaron Rodgers six TDs in the first half vs. Chicago Bears (2014)

It was a chilly November, but that didn’t stop Aaron Rodgers from warming things up in Lambeau Field. Rodgers threw six touchdowns to tie the franchise and NFL mark for a half and whooped the Bears 55-14 on Sunday Night Football.

Rodgers could have easily set the record for the most touchdowns ever thrown in a game, but with the score 42-0 at the half, Mike McCarthy took Rodgers out in the third quarter.

8. R-E-L-A-X (2014)

It wasn’t the start the Packers wanted in 2014, going 1-2 after losing to the Detroit Lions 19-7, but two days later Rodgers told fans to “R-E-L-A-X” about the slow start. After that, the Packers ended up winning the division at 12-4 but losing in the NFC Championship to the Seattle Seahawks. Also, that season, Rodgers ended up taking home the MVP with 36 touchdowns, five interceptions, 4,371 yards, and a 79.3 QBR.

7. Hail Mary vs. Arizona Cardinals (2015)

In the 2015 NFC divisional round, the Packers traveled to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. It was a neck-and-neck game, but fast forward to the fourth quarter where the magic happened. The Packers had to operate at their 14-yard line, but on the drive, Rodgers took a 10-yard sack, which resulted in fourth-and-20 at their four-yard line.

With the season on the line, Rodgers found Jeff Janis for a 60-yard reception. Then, with four seconds left and on second-and-15 at the Arizona 41, Rodgers rolled to his left and threw up a prayer to Janis which ended up being caught in double coverage. The game would go into overtime where Larry Fitzgerald drove down the field and won it 26-20.

6. Run the Table (2016)

It was a brutal start to the 2016 season for the Packers, where they began 4-6 and were riding a four-game losing streak. The media was writing off the Packers, but Rodgers had all the confidence in the world, who said the team could run the table.

The Packers went on a six-game winning streak to finish the regular season 10-6, clinched the NFC North and got to the NFC Championship. Unfortunately, the Packers lost to the Atlanta Falcons 44-13 in that game.

During those six weeks, Rodgers put up one of the best stretches we have seen from a quarterback: 1,667 yards, 15 touchdowns, zero interceptions, 71 completion percentage, and an 83.1 QBR.

5. The Miracle in Motown (2015)

It was the 7-4 Packers facing the 4-7 Detroit Lions and things didn’t look right for Green Bay, trailing 20-0 in the second half. Things just didn’t go the Packers’ way on Thursday Night Football, but suddenly, things clicked.

Randall Cobb recovered a fumble for a touchdown, Davante Adams found the end zone, and Aaron Rodgers ran one in from 17 yards out. Then with six seconds left, the Pack had to operate from their 21-yard line.

After a forward pass then a backward pass, Richard Rodgers lateraled the ball to Rodgers who was face masked by Devin Taylor, with the clock hitting zero. Green Bay was granted one untimed play at its own 39-yard line. The just-turned 32-year-old Rodgers broke right and threw 61-yard pass towards the end zone. Richard Rodgers, who was the last player to get in the end zone, came down with the Hail Mary and it completed the fourth-largest comeback in franchise history.

4. B.J. Raji pick-six vs. Bears in NFC Championship Game (2011)

The NFL’s oldest and most iconic rivalry added another chapter to its name in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field for a chance to head to Super Bowl XLV. It was a cold day for a game in Chicago, one that didn’t feature much offense, but the Packers grabbed a 14-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Bears backup quarterback Caleb Hanie was trying to mount a comeback after a one-yard Chester Taylor touchdown. A quick three-and-out and Green Bay had to punt. On the third play of the drive for the Bears, Hanie dropped back to pass, and instead of rushing, B.J. Raji dropped back into coverage. Hanie didn’t see him and Raji picked it off and returned it for an 18-yard pick-six. The Packers would end up winning 21-14 after Sam Shields‘ second interception sealed the deal.

3. Rodgers to Jared Cook vs. Dallas Cowboys (2017)

During the “Run the Table” season, the Packers had to face off against the No. 1-seeded Dallas Cowboys in the NFC divisional round. Dallas had defeated Green Bay earlier in the year, 30-16.

In this game, the Packers looked amazing as they took a 28-13 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Cowboys would erase the lead and tie the game 28-28, then 31-31 with 58 seconds left, which was way too much time for Rodgers and the Packers.

After a 17-yard reception by Ty Montgomery to set up a new set of downs, Rodgers took a sack. A play later with 12 seconds left, Rodgers hit the throw of the decade. Rolling out to his left, he flipped his hips before throwing on one foot, a 35-yard laser to Jared Cook down the sideline. The play would set up Mason Crosby to hit a 51-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Packers to the NFC Championship Game on a 34-31 victory.

2. Rodgers to Randall Cobb vs. Bears (2013)

In Week 8, Rodgers was knocked out of a Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears due to a fractured collarbone. The Packers started 5-3, but once Rodgers went down, the Packers went 2-4-1. Luckily, the NFC North wasn’t like it was today. The Bears led the division at 8-7 heading into a Week 17 matchup against the 7-7-1 Packers where the winner clinched the NFC North.

After an eight-week absence, Rodgers would return for the NFC North title game. It was a back-and-forth game, but the Bears took a 28-20 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Green Bay responded with a touchdown of its own with 11:38 remaining.

The Bears’ next possession would result in a punt where the Packers had to start at their 13-yard line. They drove down the field, then converted on fourth down, then on third down, and then the dagger happened. With fourth-and-eight with 46 seconds left, Rodgers found Cobb for a 48-yard touchdown, crowning them as NFC North champions with a 33-28 victory.

1. Super Bowl XLV vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2011)

The Packers entered their fifth Super Bowl in team history, and their road wasn’t easy as they became the first-ever sixth-seed team in the NFC to be in the Super Bowl. The Steelers finished 12-4 as the second seed in the AFC. It was a good first half for the Packers as they took a 21-10 lead, but in the second half, things began to heat up.

Both teams would exchange touchdowns, but the Steelers made it close by cutting the Packers’ lead to 28-25. Mason Crosby would extend the lead to 31-25 after a 23-yard field goal with 2:07 remaining.

It figured to be too much time for Ben Roethlisberger, but the Packers defense would hold their own and force the Steelers to turn the ball over on downs. The Packers won the Super Bowl 31-25 and Aaron Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing 24-39, 304 yards and three touchdowns. Clay Matthews would go on to make the most impactful play, forcing a Rashard Mendenhall fumble that would set up the Packers to score and take a two-possession lead.