Patriots-Packers History Features Forgotten Super Bowl Connection, Overtime Thriller image
Patriots-Packers History Features Forgotten Super Bowl Connection, Overtime Thriller image
The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers will renew a rivalry Sunday that has produced memorable games, unusual moments and a remarkably balanced history.
The teams enter their Week 9 meeting tied 6-6 in regular-season games, with Green Bay visiting Gillette Stadium for the first time since 2018. New England holds a 5-2 advantage in home games against the Packers, making Sunday's contest another opportunity to build on its historical success in Foxborough.
The rivalry also includes a Super Bowl meeting and one of the more improbable special teams plays in Patriots history.
Their Last Meeting Went Down To The Wire
Green Bay defeated New England 27-24 in overtime at Lambeau Field on Oct. 2, 2022, in the franchises' most recent regular-season meeting.
Packers vs Patriots: Super Bowl XXXI New England grabs their first lead of the game, Green Bay responds with a MASSIVE play to swing the momentum back https://t.co/KMnYnNBaCD
The Patriots were dealing with significant quarterback uncertainty that afternoon. Mac Jones was unavailable, and Brian Hoyer suffered an injury, forcing rookie Bailey Zappe into action against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
New England nevertheless pushed Green Bay into overtime before Mason Crosby's field goal decided the game.
The Patriots had won the previous meeting 31-17 at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 4, 2018, when Tom Brady and Rodgers faced each other in one of the league's marquee quarterback battles.
A Super Bowl And An Unforgettable Return
The most consequential meeting came in Super Bowl XXXI, when Green Bay defeated New England 35-21 on Jan. 26, 1997.
That game remains the only postseason meeting between the franchises. It was also an important moment in Patriots history, coming years before Brady and Bill Belichick transformed New England into a championship powerhouse.
Another memorable moment occurred in December 2010, when offensive lineman Dan Connolly returned a kickoff 71 yards against Green Bay. The remarkable play remains the longest kickoff return by an offensive lineman in NFL history.
New England won that game 31-27.
Another Chapter Begins Sunday
This meeting features different quarterbacks, with Drake Maye leading New England against a Green Bay team attempting to strengthen its own playoff position.
Both teams enter the contest 5-3, giving the historical rivalry immediate significance in the standings.
The Patriots also have an opportunity to start 4-0 at home for the first time since 2019.
Sunday's game will not settle decades of history, but it will break the regular-season series tie and add another chapter to a rivalry that has produced far more memorable moments than its infrequent meetings might suggest.
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