2002 Green Bay Packers season

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2002 Green Bay Packers season
Head coach Mike Sherman
Home field Lambeau Field
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st NFC North
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Falcons) 7–27
Pro Bowlers
All-Pros
2
Uniform
Packers 12 uniform.xcf

The 2002 season was the Green Bay Packers' 82nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their 84th overall.

Contents

For the first time since 1989, LeRoy Butler was not on the opening day roster.

This was the first of three consecutive NFC North titles for the Packers. They achieved a 12–4 record in the regular season, before losing in the NFC Wild Card playoffs round to quarterback Brett Favre's former team, the Atlanta Falcons, at Lambeau Field. [1] This marked the first time in franchise history that the Packers had lost at home in the playoffs. They have done so six more times since: in 2004, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2020, and 2021.

Background

In 2001, the Packers achieved the franchise's best record since 1997, finishing 12–4 and advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs. There, they lost to the eventual NFC champion St. Louis Rams. During the game, it became clear that the Packers would need wide receivers with greater speed and ability to compete with the conference's best teams. GM Mike Sherman spent the 2002 offseason revamping Green Bay's receiving corps. The team promoted Donald Driver to starter, acquired veteran Terry Glenn from the New England Patriots and drafted Javon Walker in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. The influx of new players seemed to position the Packers as one of the strongest contenders in the NFC.

Season summary

Green Bay started the season with eight wins in their first nine games, led by quarterback Brett Favre and running back Ahman Green. The Packers led the NFC North throughout the year, winning the division by a six-game margin. Green Bay became the first team to win the newly rechristened division, formerly known as the NFC Central. It was the Packers' first division title since 1997, and the team would go on to win the NFC North for three consecutive seasons.

For the first time in years, it appeared that the Packers had a legitimate chance of reaching the Super Bowl heading into the final Sunday of the regular season. With one game left, Green Bay was 12–3, and a victory away from clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs after the Philadelphia Eagles failed to clinch home field advantage themselves one day prior in an overtime defeat to the New York Giants. The Packers had never lost a home playoff game in franchise history, had achieved an 8–0 record at home in 2002, and had established a run of Lambeau Field dominance since the Mike Holmgren era. As a result, playing home games at Lambeau Field would seemingly give the Packers a significant advantage in the playoffs. The final game was on the road against the New York Jets, who beat the Packers handily to win the AFC East division title. The loss which coincided with the Buccaneers winning was a blow to the Packers, who dropped down to the number three seed in the NFC and had an incredibly difficult road to the Super Bowl. Six days later, the Packers were beaten by Michael Vick's Atlanta Falcons, the first home playoff loss in Packers history.

The 2002 season was another memorable year for quarterback Brett Favre. Throughout the season, Favre was a favorite to win his fourth Most Valuable Player award. The Packers' lopsided loss to the Jets in the regular season finale may have swayed voters, as Favre lost the MVP award by merely two votes to Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon.

Offseason

SigningsDepartures
WR Terry Glenn (Patriots)WR Bill Schroeder (Lions)
LB Hardy Nickerson (Jaguars)WR Charles Lee (Buccaneers)
DE Joe Johnson (Saints)RB Dorsey Levens (Eagles)
WR Karsten Bailey (Seahawks)WR Antonio Freeman (Eagles)
CB Darrien Gordon (Falcons)LB Bernardo Harris (Ravens)
RB Ki-Jana Carter (Redskins)OT Barry Stokes (Browns)
DE John Thierry (Falcons)
WR Corey Bradford (Texans)
CB Allen Rossum (Falcons)
DT Santana Dotson (Redskins)

Draft

In the 2002 NFL draft, the Packers selected 20th overall, drafting future all-pro wide receiver Javon Walker with their first round pick. [2]

2002 Green Bay Packers draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
125 Javon Walker  *  Wide receiver Florida State
392 Marques Anderson   Safety UCLA
4135 Najeh Davenport   Running back Miami (FL)
5156 Aaron Kampman  *  Defensive end Iowa
5164 Craig Nall   Quarterback Northwestern State
6200 Mike Houghton   Offensive tackle San Diego State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Algie AtkinsonLinebacker Kansas
Kevin Barry Offensive Tackle Arizona
Rob Bironas Kicker Georgia Southern
Marcus BradyQuarterback Cal State Northridge
Andy EbyCenter Kansas State
Scott ElderPunter Oklahoma State
Tony Fisher Running back Notre Dame
John GilmoreDefensive end Tennessee State
Adrian HollingshedLinebacker Georgia
Ken Kocher Defensive Tackle UCLA
Richard LewisWide receiver North Dakota State
Seneca McMillanCornerback Nicholls State
Bill SeymourTight end Michigan
Erwin Swiney Cornerback Nebraska
Jeremy Unertl Safety UW–La Crosse
Marcus Wilkins Linebacker Texas

Personnel

Staff

2002 Green Bay Packers staff

Front office

  • President and chief executive officer – Bob Harlan
  • Executive vice president and chief operating officer – John Jones
  • Vice president of player finance/general counsel – Andrew Brandt
  • Vice president of football operations – Mark Hatley
  • Director of college scouting – John Dorsey
  • Director of pro personnel – Reggie McKenzie
  • Personnel analyst to general manager – John Schneider
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Shaun Herock
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Sean Howard

Head coaches

  • Executive vice president/general manager/head coach – Mike Sherman
  • Assistant head coach/defensive backs – Bob Slowik

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


Roster

2002 Green Bay Packers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 6 reserve, 5 practice squad

Preseason

DateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
August 10, 2002at Philadelphia Eagles L 13–200–1 Veterans Stadium 58,546
August 17, 2002at Arizona Cardinals W 29–211–1 Sun Devil Stadium 35,716
August 26, 2002 Cleveland Browns W 27–202–1 Lambeau Field 62,668
August 30, 2002 Tennessee Titans W 21–203–1 Lambeau Field 62,485

Regular season

Schedule

The Packers finished 12–4 overall, winning the NFC North crown by a six-game margin. [3]

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 8 Atlanta Falcons W 37–34 (OT)1–0 Lambeau Field 63,127
2September 15at New Orleans Saints L 20–351–1 Louisiana Superdome 67,958
3September 22at Detroit Lions W 37–312–1 Ford Field 61,505
4September 29 Carolina Panthers W 17–143–1Lambeau Field63,329
5October 7at Chicago Bears W 34–214–1 Memorial Stadium 63,226
6October 13at New England Patriots W 28–105–1 Gillette Stadium 68,436
7October 20 Washington Redskins W 30–96–1Lambeau Field63,363
8Bye
9November 4 Miami Dolphins W 24–107–1Lambeau Field63,284
10November 10Detroit LionsW 40–148–1Lambeau Field63,313
11November 17at Minnesota Vikings L 21–318–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,153
12November 24at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 7–218–3 Raymond James Stadium 65,672
13December 1Chicago BearsW 30–209–3Lambeau Field64,196
14December 8Minnesota VikingsW 26–2210–3Lambeau Field64,070
15December 15at San Francisco 49ers W 20–1411–3 3Com Park 67,947
16December 22 Buffalo Bills W 10–012–3Lambeau Field64,106
17December 29at New York Jets L 17–4212–4 Giants Stadium 78,733

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234OTTotal
Falcons021310034
Packers310147337

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 2: at New Orleans Saints

Week 2: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints
Quarter1234Total
Packers0107320
Saints7147735

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Week 3: at Detroit Lions

Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Quarter1234Total
Packers71014637
Lions71001431

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

Week 4: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 4: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Panthers700714
Packers370717

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 5: at Chicago Bears

Week 5: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Quarter1234Total
Packers14107334
Bears770721

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

Game information

Week 6: at New England Patriots

Week 6: Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots
Quarter1234Total
Packers0147728
Patriots030710

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Week 7: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 7: Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Redskins33309
Packers71001330

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 9: Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Dolphins0001010
Packers01410024

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 10: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Lions700714
Packers32710040

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter1234Total
Packers077721
Vikings14071031

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 12: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 12: Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarter1234Total
Packers70007
Buccaneers0311721

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida

Game information

Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 13: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Bears770620
Packers33101430

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Vikings1039022
Packers0671326

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 15: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Quarter1234Total
Packers3014320
49ers068014

at 3Com Park, San Francisco, California

Game information

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Bills00000
Packers030710

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 17: at New York Jets

Week 17: Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
Quarter1234Total
Packers0100717
Jets014141442

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Standings

Division

NFC North
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(3) Green Bay Packers 1240.7505–19–3398328L1
Minnesota Vikings 6100.3754–25–7390442W3
Chicago Bears 4120.2502–43–9281379L2
Detroit Lions 3130.1881–53–9306451L8

Conference

#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOV
Division leaders
1 [a] Philadelphia Eagles East1240.7505–111–1.469.432
2 [a] [b] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South1240.7504–29–3.482.432
3 [a] [b] Green Bay Packers North1240.7505–19–3.451.414
4 San Francisco 49ers West1060.6255–18–4.504.450
Wild Cards
5 New York Giants East1060.6255–18–4.482.450
6 Atlanta Falcons South961.5944–27–5.494.429
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 New Orleans Saints South970.5633–37–5.498.566
8 [c] St. Louis Rams West790.4384–25–7.508.446
9 [c] Seattle Seahawks West790.4382–45–7.506.433
10 [d] Washington Redskins East790.4381–54–8.527.438
11 [d] Carolina Panthers South790.4381–54–8.486.357
12 Minnesota Vikings North6100.3754–25–7.498.417
13 [e] Arizona Cardinals West5110.3131–55–7.500.400
14 [e] Dallas Cowboys East5110.3131–53–9.500.475
15 Chicago Bears North4120.2502–43–9.521.430
16 Detroit Lions North3130.1881–53–9.494.375
Tiebreakers [f]
  1. 1 2 3 Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
  2. 1 2 Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
  3. 1 2 St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
  4. 1 2 Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
  5. 1 2 Arizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Playoffs

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
WildcardJanuary 4, 2003 Atlanta Falcons L 7–270–1 Lambeau Field 65,358

Game summaries

NFC Wild Card: vs. Atlanta Falcons

NFC Wild Card Game: (6) Atlanta Falcons at (3) Green Bay Packers
Quarter1234Total
Falcons14103027
Packers00707

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Awards and records

References

  1. "2002 Packers' schedule". Packers.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  2. "2002 Green Bay Packers Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  3. "NFL History – 2002 Regular Season Standings". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2007.