Today, January 28, 2017, marks the Tenth Anniversary of Packerville, U.S.A. We joined the blogging world on this date in 2007, which was the night before our enemies to the south were to play in the Super Bowl. To the pleasure of all of us, they would lose, and we have kept on through this, our 1,832nd post. We have no intentions of stopping, and we hope you will keep on stopping by. We also like to think that if he were able to read our blog, it might even bring a smile to Coach Lombardi’s face.
Now that the 2016-17 season has unfortunately ended, we want to post all of the Packers’ home game program covers, plus a few extra. Starting with the Hall of Fame Game program (above), from a game that was not played. Poor field conditions — related to the paint applied to the turf — made the field unsafe for multi-million dollar knees. It’s the only cancelled game in our experience so far (out of 136 games and counting), and we hope there aren’t any more. The Hall of Fame induction activities from the day before were why we went to Canton, Ohio, anyway, so the game was just going to be on top of that. And now, on to the game programs...
CLEVELAND AT GREEN BAY • AUGUST 12, 2016 PACKERS 17, BROWNS 11
OAKLAND AT GREEN BAY • AUGUST 18, 2016 PACKERS 20, RAIDERS 12
DETROIT AT GREEN BAY • SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 PACKERS 34, LIONS 27
NEW YORK AT GREEN BAY • OCTOBER 9, 2016 PACKERS 23, GIANTS 16
DALLAS AT GREEN BAY • OCTOBER 16, 2016 COWBOYS 30, PACKERS 16
CHICAGO AT GREEN BAY • OCTOBER 20, 2016 PACKERS 26, BEARS 10
INDIANAPOLIS AT GREEN BAY • NOVEMBER 6, 2016 COLTS 31, PACKERS 26
HOUSTON AT GREEN BAY • DECEMBER 4, 2016 PACKERS 21, TEXANS 13
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY • DECEMBER 11, 2016 PACKERS 38, SEAHAWKS 10
MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY • DECEMBER 24, 2016 PACKERS 38, VIKINGS 25
NEW YORK AT GREEN BAY • JANUARY 8, 2017 NFC WILDCARD GAME PACKERS 38, GIANTS 13
GREEN BAY AT DALLAS • JANUARY 15, 2017 NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME PACKERS 34, COWBOYS 31
GREEN BAY AT ATLANTA • JANUARY 22, 2017 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FALCONS 44, PACKERS 21
That was a brutal, brutal thing to watch yesterday — the Green Bay Packers’ complete flop in the NFC Championship game against Atlanta (44-21). Falling just short of Super Bowl LI after winning eight in a row is hard to swallow. But there was a glaring difference between the talent level of the relatively uninjured Falcons and the hobbled Packers. There is much work to do in the offseason, that’s for sure. Besides the four losses in a row a couple of months ago, it’s been an exciting ride for the fans. Today, the players are cleaning out their lockers, and we’re licking our wounds, but we’ll be posting somewhat regularly through the offseason. As a side note, this week marks the tenth anniversary for Packerville, U.S.A., having launched on January 28, 2007. We’ve had 1,803 posts in that time, and hopefully we’ve done something here that has made you come back from time to time. Drop us a note if you’ve enjoyed some of our posts — we’d love to hear from you! And now...
The Packers play in the NFC Championship game again tomorrow in Atlanta, and we have the tickets that we would’ve used had the game been played at Lambeau Field. The NFL instructs the teams that are in playoff contention to print and distribute postseason game tickets, even if they won’t be used. This is due to the tight turnaround time to distribute tickets between the regular season’s final game and the Wild Card round. Our playoff tickets arrived before Christmas. So, once again we have NFC title game tickets that are worthless, but they go in the collection nonetheless.
Following Sunday’s thrilling NFC Divisional Playoff victory in Dallas, QB Aaron Rodgers graces the regional cover of the next Sports Illustrated. We’re not sure to what extent the “region” is, but those of us in the Midwest will enjoy seeing it in our mailboxes or on the newsstands at the end of this week.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has recently released audio of the Super Bowl I postgame press conference, which you can listen to above. The game was played on January 15, 1967 in the Los Angeles Coliseum, and the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Enjoy.
Now that we’re mere hours away from today’s NFC Divisional Playoff game with the Packers at the Dallas Cowboys, we are presenting a gallery of images from last Sunday’s NFC Wild Card game. The week got away from us, and we wanted to post this sooner, but better late than never. Above, we’re crossing the Fox River coming into Green Bay on Thursday night before the game.
Taking a lap around frozen Lambeau Field on our way to the Packerville, U.S.A. headquarters. It was -2° at the time.
On Friday, we headed to Festival Foods on Mason Street (our preferred grocery store), and were greeted by some Packers-themed treats (above and below).
Upon entering the produce section, we were treated to the sight of LB Julius Peppers buying organic vegetables with his wife.
A few minutes later, we encountered K Mason Crosby pushing his cart solo through the store and gave him a head nod.
On Saturday at Lambeau, former Holmgren-era players RB Dorsey Levens and S LeRoy Butler were singing autographs in the Atrium.
The Packers hold pep rallies before away games all around the country, but they held a Playoff Pep Rally at home before the Wild Card game.
There were several Packers-themed ice sculptures around the stadium for playoff weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, we see the Packers’ indoor practice facility, with the outdoor practice field protected from spies as it is all through the season after Training Camp.
The west side of Lambeau Field as we drove over to the Packers Playoff Pep Rally on Saturday evening.
Outside the Tundra Tailgate Zone as we waited in line in the frigid temperatures.
Saturday night was pretty cold, and we weren’t wearing our game clothes for the indoor rally.
Packers Radio Network announcer Wayne Larrivee was the event emcee, and Packers’ president Mark Murphy joint him to discuss the season up to that point.
The facility was pretty packed for the event, and we were right up against the stage.
(Above and below), former S LeRoy Butler and RB Dorsey Levens talk about playing in the playoffs back in the 1990’s.
Packers.com writers Mike Spofford(left) and Wes Hodkiewicz(right) joined Larrivee for some “X’s and O’s" talk of the next day’s game.
Walking to the stadium on Sunday afternoon.
QB Eli Manning and his New York Giants’ teammates on the field prior to the game.
On the other end, QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) leads his team through the pre-game period.
Playoff football is back in Lambeau Field.
The Giants get the game going on offense.
DB Micah Hyde (#33) awaits a punt from New York P Brad Wing.
The game-time temperature at kickoff. If prepared properly, this is not cold at all. There also was very little wind inside the stadium.
The Packers huddle up on offense deep in their own territory
QB Aaron Rodgers works behind his offensive line.
The Packers defense works against Manning on the other end of the field. Seen are LB Julius Peppers (#56), S Morgan Burnett (#42), LB Joe Thomas (#48), and S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (#21).
QB Eli Manning barks the snap count as LB Jake Ryan (#47) and S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (#21) adjust.
QB Aaron Rodgers has his own guy (in yellow coat) to bring out his sideline cape.
The Packers’ offensive huddle.
Handing off to WR/RB Ty Montgomery (#88).
QB Aaron Rodgers trying to avoid the Giants’ pass rush of Olivier Vernon (#54).
QB Aaron Rodgers gets off a pass under protection.
But eventually, the Giants’ pass rush gets to QB Aaron Rodgers.
P Jacob Schum (#10) gets a punt off safely.
The Packers’ offensive line rests on the bench.
There were a fair amount of New York fans at the game, but they were generally well-behaved — unlike the Dallas fans from earlier this season.
The New York Giants’ sideline.
QB Aaron Rodgers takes off on a run.
The Packers’ special teams corrals the Giants’ returner, with WR Jeff Janis (#83), LB Blake Martinez (#50), LB Joe Thomas (#48), and LB Kyler Mackrell (#51) providing the coverage.
QB Eli Manning talks with Referee Ed Hochuli during a timeout.
QB Aaron Rodgers appears to be ready to take flight.
QB Eli Manning hands off to RB Paul Perkins.
LB Blake Martinez is attended to by the Packers’ medical staff.
QB Eli Manning gets ready to let a long one fly.
WR Davante Adams (#17) makes a reception along the Giants’ sideline.
The view from the Packerville, U.S.A. seats.
Getting the crowd to make noise when the Giants have the ball.
A zebra convention during a time out.
WR Randall Cobb (#18) makes the reception of the Hail Mary just before halftime.
RB Christine Michael (#32) makes a few yards up the middle.
Celebrating a Packers’ touchdown.
WR Davante Adams working against CB Eli Apple.
Awaiting the snap of the ball are WR Randall Cobb(partially hidden), G T.J. Lang (#70), FB Aaron Ripkowski (#22), C Corey Linsley (#63), and WR/RB Ty Montgomery (#88).
Somewhere in there, FB Aaron Ripkowski is scoring a touchdown.
Heading off the field, QB Aaron Rodgers congratulates FB Aaron Ripkowski.
The crowd at Lambeau Field really, really, really enjoyed this game!
As the clock runs out, players on the field greet and congratulate each other.
The scene following every game.
Final score.
Final team stats comparison.
QB Aaron Rodgers is interviewed by FOX Sports.
Heading off the field into the Packers’ tunnel, QB Aaron Rodgers salutes the crowd and blows them kisses as well.
Always good to see.
Your Packerville, U.S.A. editor (left) and his brother celebrate the win.
