Packers vs. Vikings — December 11, 1988

As we get through this difficult season, we are taking a look back to December 11, 1988, an era when most seasons were difficult to endure as a fan — and there was legitimate concern about the Packers ever being an elite team again. We now know that the turnaround began only four years later, and has continued almost unabated since then. But, let’s take a look back at the Green Bay Packers of 1988, and their game that day against the rival Minnesota Vikings. Game programs are wonderful snapshots in time...


The inside contents page, with a Christmas greeting from Packers’ President Judge Robert J. Parins.


A three-page preview about that day’s game, and the players and coaches involved.






Head Coach Lindy Infante, in his first of four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The following year was his most successful with the team.


Who recalls these stores in Wisconsin? Packers merchandise was just starting to take off, along with all NFL products in general.


These two pages, and one later in the program, focused on the Christmas wishes of Packers players and coaches.




An ad for one of the local television programs being aired that season. Channel 11 is now FOX11 (WLUK), located a stone’s throw from Lambeau Field.


An “autographed” photo from HB Keith Woodside (#33).


A small feature about the Harlan family — with Bob Harlan soon to become the Packers’ president and CEO (1989-2006).


Many game day afternoons were spent listening to “Packer Sunday” following a Green Bay loss (there were twelve of them that season).


Here are some faces and names that you have probably not seen or thought about for almost three decades — the 1988 Green Bay Packers.






The official Packers roster for that ’88 season.


The Packers-Vikings game’s starting line-ups.


This is that year’s version of the Minnesota Vikings.


An aerial view of Lambeau Field from that era. Things have changed quite a bit.


The third installment of the Packers’ Christmas wishes.


Here is a somewhat rare image — 1989 hero QB Don Majkowski wearing not his familiar #7 jersey, but the #5 jersey he started out with. Only a few have worn that number in regular season games since Paul Hornung made it famous. Ron Wolf once said that as long as he was GM in Green Bay, nobody would ever wear it. Just this year, P Justin Vogel wore #5 in Training Camp, but switched to #8 for the regular season.


Two pages on new Head Coach Lindy Infante, and then two for the assistant coaches.








Lambeau Field has also changed since 1988 in its seating arrangement, with all the sections seen here having since been renumbered.


Of course, every head coach sees his “coach’s show,” and Lindy Infante was no exception.

On this December day, the Packers defeated the Vikings, 18-6, in front of 48,892 fans on a 14° day in Green Bay. The starting signal-caller was QB Randy Wright.

Week 12 NFL TV Maps

With the Packers playing on NBC Sunday night, almost everyone will have access to the broadcast. Above are also the games for Thanksgiving Day. Remember, Detroit always plays the early game, and Dallas plays in the afternoon.


The early CBS games on Sunday.


CBS also has the late game(s) time slot. 


The FOX network has one early game on Sunday — five games overall in the appropriate broadcast markets.

Maps courtesy of 506 Sports

Ravens at Packers

Last Sunday, we spent the day at Lambeau Field for the Ravens vs. Packers game. Bolstered by a fairly good performance and a victory the week before in Chicago, we were expecting to maybe see a good game. The weather, while 28° at kickoff, was quite pleasant if you happened to be sitting in the sunlight as we were.


The view from the upper concourse while we enjoyed a bratwurst in the hour prior to the start of the game.


Unfortunately, the game was a real stinker. The Packers could not get into the end zone. Not into our north end zone (seen here), nor the south end zone, seen in the shady distance.


The defense kept the Ravens at 16 points (until the ridiculous interception late in the game). If you keep the other team at 16 points, you should be able to win a lot of games.




The crowd really wanted to get into the game, but there was very little on the field to generate excitement. There were several periods where the Packers were "booed" on their home turf. Losing has not been a way of life in Green Bay for a long time. The older fans, like us, remember the 70’s and 80’s too well.


Still, the on-field performance has not caused fans to stay away. The attendance was 77,945, but word is that ticket prices are going down. Not as bad as in Cleveland, though, where you can snare a ticket for the Dec. 10 Packers vs. Browns game for as little as $6.


A break in the action, most likely a television time-out.


QB Joe Flacco handing off to RB Alex Collins (#34).


The Packers on offense, deep in their own territory.


RB Jamaal Williams (#30) awaits a turn with the ball inside his own end zone.


QB Brett Hundley (#7) throws from his goal line. This may or may not be the late interception that led to a final Baltimore touchdown.


A semi-panoramic view from the Packerville, U.S.A. seats in Section 102.


Something that has become common since the Detroit Monday Night game... many empty seats before the game is over.


The final score of what ranks as one of the worst displays of football we’ve seen in a while. This is the first time the Packers were shut out since the Patriots beat them 35-0, also at home, in 2006. And we were at both of those games. We hope to see a better game against Tampa Bay on December 3rd.

Week 11 TV Maps

Last week, we inadvertently skipped the posting of the NFL TV Maps. Life gets in the way of the blog sometimes, and it seems quite a bit lately. Anyway, here are the Week 11 TV Maps, and a fair amount of the country will see the Baltimore at Green Bay game at Noon (CT) on CBS.






Maps courtesy of 506 Sports