The Green Bay Packers’ 26th appearance on the Sports Illustrated cover was near the end of the 2002 season, and again, quarterback Brett Favre was the photo subject. The headline reads, “True Grit: Why the Packers Keep on Winning.” The occasion was the 20-14 victory over San Francisco in the 14th game of the season.
The article opens with: “In a showdown of division leaders, Green Bay proved that it was ready for the playoffs by stopping the 49ers.” The story mainly describes how the defense held San Francisco from scoring at the end to assure the Packers’ victory. “As it turned out, the 49ers had no chance because furious pressure forced (quarterback Jeff) Garcia to rush a throw that bounced short of (Eric) Johnson. ‘I couldn’t be more proud of our defense,” Favre said after the game. ‘I always make a point of watching those guys, and they’re relentless. Half the time you don’t even know who’s in there, but they never quit, and there’s no substitute for that.’ ”
“No matter their (playoff) seeding, the Packers are secure that in a league of parity, they’ll enter the postseason boasting the most potent quarterback and a defense well-versed in preserving his handiwork.”
It didn’t matter apparently... as Green Bay was humiliated at home 27-7 by Atlanta during a snowstorm — perfect “Packer weather.”
