With the Green Bay Packers several weeks away from starting the 2025 season, I wanted to take a look back at the first half of the 21st century. This week, I will give my list of my top 10 regular season games since 2000.
My criteria: 1. What was the importance of the game for that season, 2. How memorable was the game, 3. The opponent the Packers beat, 4. Did the Packers win the game (I did not pick any losses).
Top 10 Packers regular season games since 2000 (in chronological order)
1. 2003 Week 16 – at Oakland Raiders
The Packers beat the Raiders 41-7 on a memorable December Monday night, with Brett Favre throwing for 4 first-half touchdowns and 399 yards, the second most yards of his Packers career. The win was the third of four straight wins to finish the 2003 season. Other than his Super Bowl XXXI win, it is arguably the biggest moment of his Packers career.
December 22, 2003: A day after his father passed away, @BrettFavre throws for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns in Monday Night Football in a win over the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/q1nPG0vmsv
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) December 22, 2020
2. 2004 Week 16 – at Minnesota Vikings
In an NFC North, winner-take-all game for the NFC North, the Packers beat the Vikings in the Metrodome 34-31 on a Ryan Longwell walkoff field goal. Brett Favre led a 4th quarter comeback with a 4th down touchdown pass to Donald Driver and then big completions to Driver and Javon Walker to set up the Longwell field goal. It was the biggest regular-season win in the rivalry during the Favre era.
20th Anniversary of the Packers winning the NFC North in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/6vZ56ppMrU
— MMcLaugh (@McLaughlinMitch) December 24, 2024
3. 2010 Week 7 – home to Minnesota Vikings
The Packers beat the Vikings 28-24 on an October Sunday night, knocking off Brett Favre as a Viking for the first time. Entering the game at 3-3, the Packers were in need of a season-changing win, which they got thanks to three second-half interceptions of Favre, including a pick six by Desmond Bishop. Aaron Rodgers had two first-half touchdown passes, getting his first victory over his predecessor.
4. 2010 Week 16 – home to New York Giants
It was the first of six straight wins to end the 2010 season, a 45-17 beatdown of the New York Giants in essentially a win-or-go-home game in week 16. Aaron Rodgers threw for 404 yards and four touchdown passes in his return game back from a concussion. The win was a springboard to a Super Bowl XLV championship run, with the defense intercepting Eli Manning four times.
Aaron Rodgers racks up a few touchdowns as the Packers obliterate the Giants in 2010🔥 pic.twitter.com/U4NYBtHtxY
— VintageAaronRodgers (@VentageArod) June 3, 2025
5. 2011 Week 1 – home to New Orleans Saints
In one of the most exciting opening games in league history, the Packers won a showdown of the previous two Super Bowl winners with a 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Packers clinched the victory with a goal-line stand on the game’s final play. Aaron Rodgers had 312 yards and three first-quarter touchdowns. The highlight of the game was rookie Randall Cobb’s then-league record 108 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Cobb scored two touchdowns in his first career game. The game was the catalyst to a 15-1 record and 19 straight wins dating back to 2010 (see Game #4).
A look back at the 2011 season opener vs. the Saints, including @rcobb18's electrifying rookie debut.
Packers Daily ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/0jtUUNYaYy
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 7, 2021
6. 2013 Week 15 – at Dallas Cowboys
Any top 10 list must include a win over the Dallas Cowboys. The most important regular-season win in the rivalry in this century was a 37-36 win in Dallas. After falling behind 26-3 at halftime, Matt Flynn had four second-half touchdown passes, leading the furious comeback. Eddie Lacy’s one-yard touchdown run and Tramon Williams’ interception clinched the victory, keeping the Packers’ playoff hopes alive.
#TBT: In 2013, the #Packers matched their largest comeback in franchise history, turning a 23-point deficit at the half into a 37-36 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.#DALvsGB | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/Xw01c1xEto
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 11, 2022
7. 2013 Week 17 – at Chicago Bears
Just like 9 years earlier, the Packers won another winner-take-all NFC North meeting, this time beating the Bears 33-28 in arguably the biggest regular-season win this century. Aaron Rodgers made his return from a collarbone injury to once again break the hearts of the Bears. After trailing 28-20 early in the 4th quarter, Rodgers led two straight touchdown drives, with the climax being the 48-yard Rodgers to Randall Cobb heave on 4th down. It would not be the last time Rodgers broke the hearts of the Bears.
This is how @AaronRodgers12 and the @packers won the NFC North in Week 17 of the 2013 season. 😱#GBvsCHI: TONIGHT (8pm ET) on NBC #NFL100 🏈 pic.twitter.com/acDpIZ7IJM
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) September 5, 2019
8. 2014 Week 13 – home to New England Patriots
It felt like a possible Super Bowl XLIX preview, a late-November 26-21 win for the Packers. After not starting against each other in 2010, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady finally were able to oppose one another and the game did not disappoint. The Packers held on to defeat the eventual Super Bowl championships, with Rodgers throwing two first-half touchdown passes and Mason Crosby had four field goals. En route to a second MVP winning season Rodgers threw for 365 yards and it was his pass-and-catch to Jordy Nelson that was the highlight of this important win in 2014.
Today in 2014: Aaron Rodgers throws for 368 yards and two TDs in Packers' 26-21 win over Patriots. Rookie Davante Adams racks up 121 yards on six catches, while Jordy Nelson's 45-yard catch-and-run score to end the first half propels Green Bay to victory.
(H/T @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/Qaq0OLUZ5I
— Packers History (@HistoricPackers) November 30, 2023
9. 2018 Week 1 – home to Chicago Bears
It was the greatest comeback of Aaron Rodgers career. After trailing 20-0, the Packers came back to beat the rival Chicago Bears 24-23 in Week 1 of the 2018 season. Rodgers left the game in the second quarter with a serious knee injury and by the time he returned the Packers were in a 20-point hole. He led four scoring drives starting in the late third quarter, with three fourth-quarter touchdown passes. Randall Cobb’s 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown sealed the win. For many, this is Rodgers’ most memorable regular-season moment of his career.
"When I got the ovation, I said, 'We might as well win this thing.'"
An injured @AaronRodgers12 returned in heroic fashion to lead the @Packers to a 20-point comeback in Week 1. #NFLTurningPoint pic.twitter.com/9moPh02dfF
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 13, 2018
10. 2021 Week 3 – at San Francisco 49ers
The most recent game on the list, a Packers 30-28 win in Week 3 of 2021 against the San Francisco 49ers. It was vintage Aaron Rodgers, leading a game-winning drive in the final 37 seconds to knock off its NFC nemesis, the conference-rival 49ers. Led by Rodgers and Davante Adams (12 catches, 132 yards and a touchdown), the Packers led 17-0 in the second quarter. After the 49ers comeback, the Packers were without timeouts for their final drive, but Rodgers and Adams connected on two passes, setting up Mason Crosby for his 51-yard game winning field goal.
"MASON CROSBY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!"
Hear the #Packers radio call of @crosbykicks2's walk-off winner vs. the 49ers 📻#GBvsSF | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/RSqanktJq6
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 27, 2021
Honorable Mention:
2000 at Vikings, win 33-28
2007 home to Chargers, win 31-24
2010 at Eagles, win 27-20
2010 home to Bears, win 10-3
2011 at NY Giants, win 38-35
2011 home to Lions, win 45-41
2015 home to Seahawks, win 27-17
2017 at Cowboys, win 35-31
2022 home to Cowboys, win 31-28 (overtime)
2023 home to Chiefs, win 27-19