2005 Green Bay Packers season

Last updated

2005 Green Bay Packers season
General manager Ted Thompson
Head coach Mike Sherman
Home stadium Lambeau Field
Results
Record4–12
Division place4th NFC North
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Uniform
Packers 12 uniform.xcf

The 2005 season was the Green Bay Packers' 85th in the National Football League (NFL), their 87th overall and the sixth and final under head coach Mike Sherman. It would be the first season the franchise would have involving quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Contents

The Packers failed to improve their overall record of 10–6 from 2004 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000. This would be their first losing season since 1991, as well as their worst record since said year. As of the 2024 season, this is the only season since divisional realignment the Packers finished in last place in the NFC North.

The Packers suffered injuries to wide receivers Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson and running backs Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, Tony Fisher, and Samkon Gado. As a result of the lackluster season, most of the team's coaches were fired, including head coach Mike Sherman.

Offseason

The Packers lost veteran guards Marco Rivera (Dallas Cowboys) and Mike Wahle (Carolina Panthers) to free agency. Starting safety Darren Sharper was released by Green Bay Packers, signing with the Minnesota Vikings. With the 24th pick of the 2005 NFL draft the Green Bay Packers selected quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the second quarterback taken in the draft. Rodgers became the Packers' starting quarterback in the 2008 season after Brett Favre's trade to the New York Jets and has since become a four-time NFL MVP and he led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV.

AdditionsSubtractions
LB Robert Thomas (Rams)G Marco Rivera (Cowboys)
G Matt O'Dwyer (Buccaneers)G Mike Wahle (Panthers)
G Adrian Klemm (Patriots)FS Darren Sharper (Vikings)
LB Hannibal Navies (Bengals)
CB Michael Hawthorne (Rams)
FS Bhawoh Jue (Chargers)
P Bryan Barker (Rams)

NFL Draft

2005 Green Bay Packers draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
124 Aaron Rodgers  *  Quarterback California
251 Nick Collins  *  Safety Bethune–Cookman
258 Terrence Murphy   Wide receiver Texas A&M
4115 Marviel Underwood  Safety San Diego State
4125 Brady Poppinga   Linebacker BYU
5143 Junius Coston   Center North Carolina A&T
5167 Mike Hawkins   Cornerback Oklahoma
6180 Michael Montgomery   Defensive tackle Texas A&M
6195 Craig Bragg  Wide receiver UCLA
7245 Kurt Campbell  Cornerback Albany (NY)
7246 Will Whitticker   Guard Michigan State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

2005 Undrafted Free Agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Bryce BenekosPunter UTEP
Vince ButlerWide receiver Northwestern Oklahoma State
Garrett CrossTight end California
Patrick Dendy Cornerback Rice
Steve FlemingTight end Arizona
Samkon Gado Running back Liberty
A. J. LindsayDefensive tackle Temple
Roy Manning Linebacker Michigan
Chris SampWide receiver Winona State
Leigh Torrence Cornerback Stanford
Chris White Center Southern Miss
Chaz WilliamsRunning back Georgia Southern
Zac WoodfinLinebacker UAB

Personnel

Staff

2005 Green Bay Packers staff

Front office

  • President and chief executive officer – Bob Harlan
  • Executive vice president, general manager and director of football operations – Ted Thompson
  • Executive vice president and chief operating officer – John Jones
  • Vice president of player finance/general counsel – Andrew Brandt
  • 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

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – John Bonamego
  • Assistant special teams – Brad Miller

Strength and conditioning

[1]

Roster

2005 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 (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 13 reserve, 6 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 11at Detroit Lions L 3–170–1 Ford Field 61,877
2September 18 Cleveland Browns L 24–260–2 Lambeau Field 70,400
3September 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 16–170–3 Lambeau Field 70,518
4October 3at Carolina Panthers L 29–320–4 Bank of America Stadium 73,657
5October 9 New Orleans Saints W 52–31–4 Lambeau Field 70,580
6 Bye
7October 23at Minnesota Vikings L 20–231–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,278
8October 30at Cincinnati Bengals L 14–211–6 Paul Brown Stadium 65,940
9November 6 Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–201–7 Lambeau Field 70,607
10November 13at Atlanta Falcons W 33–252–7 Georgia Dome 71,001
11November 21 Minnesota Vikings L 17–202–8 Lambeau Field 70,610
12November 27at Philadelphia Eagles L 14–192–9 Lincoln Financial Field 67,665
13December 4at Chicago Bears L 7–192–10 Soldier Field 62,177
14December 11 Detroit Lions W 16–13 (OT)3–10 Lambeau Field 70,019
15December 19at Baltimore Ravens L 3–483–11 M&T Bank Stadium 70,604
16 December 25 Chicago Bears L 17–243–12 Lambeau Field 69,757
17January 1 Seattle Seahawks W 23–174–12 Lambeau Field 69,928

Week 1: at Detroit Lions

Week 1: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Packers03003
Lions703717

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

The Packers opened the 2005 NFL season with a loss to the Detroit Lions. Starting wide receiver Javon Walker injured his right knee and did not play the rest of the season. This would be the Lions last win over the Packers until the 2010 season.

Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns

Quarter1234Total
Browns766726
Packers7001724

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

The Packers lost this game to the Cleveland Browns as quarterback Trent Dilfer threw for 336 yards. The Packers retired the great Reggie White's number 92 at halftime after his unexpected death in December 2004.

Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers7100017
Packers670316

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won this close game as Carnell Williams rushed for 158 yards. Packers kicker Ryan Longwell missed an extra point and a field goal. It was the Bucs' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1989. It was also the Packers first 0–3 start since 1988

Week 4: at Carolina Panthers

Quarter1234Total
Packers7061629
Panthers7163632

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

The Carolina Panthers caused the worst start in 17 years for the Packers as they could not complete a fourth quarter comeback to win the game. The Packers lost promising rookie Terrence Murphy in a career ending helmet to helmet collision on a kickoff return.

Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints

Quarter1234Total
Saints30003
Packers142110752

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Brian Baldinger, and Drew Smith

After starting the season 0–4, the Packers defeat the New Orleans Saints in this blowout. Running back Najeh Davenport ended his season with an ankle injury in the second quarter. This was the largest blowout in Brett Favre's career.

This game marked the first NFL game that Aaron Rodgers played.

Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

Quarter1234Total
Packers0170320
Vikings00101323

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings scored 23 second-half points after being shut out 17–0 in the first half. Paul Edinger kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal as time ran out to win the game. Packers running back Ahman Green ended his season with a career-threatening knee injury.

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

Quarter1234Total
Packers070714
Bengals770721

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Brett Favre threw five interceptions as the Cincinnati Bengals won this close game. It is also noteworthy for the fact that a fan ran onto the field in the closing moments of the 4th quarter and disrupted the game by taking the ball away from Favre.

Week 9: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter1234Total
Steelers670720
Packers307010

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, and Bonnie Bernstein

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who were held without a third down conversion, forced three turnovers that turned into 17 points to help them defeat the Packers. Packers running back Samkon Gado scored his first career touchdown and ended the day with 62 yards.

Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons

1234Total
Packers14361033
Falcons01401125

On his 24th birthday, running back Samkon Gado made his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons and finished the day with 103 yards and three touchdowns to help the Packers win their second game of the year.

Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Quarter1234Total
Vikings077620
Packers770317

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, Michele Tafoya and Sam Ryan

The Minnesota Vikings won their second game against the Packers with another field goal as time expired. The Packers had only 21 yards rushing.

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

Quarter1234Total
Packers770014
Eagles1003619

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver

The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Packers as backup quarterback Mike McMahon led his team to victory.

Week 13: at Chicago Bears

Quarter1234Total
Packers07007
Bears0901019

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston

The Chicago Bears beat the Packers at Soldier Field for the first time since 1993.

Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

Quarter1234OTTotal
Lions13000013
Packers3703316

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Samkon Gado helped the Packers win this overtime game over the Detroit Lions by rushing for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens

Quarter1234Total
Packers30003
Ravens1410101448

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, and Sam Ryan

The Baltimore Ravens beat the Packers by 45 points as Kyle Boller passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.

Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears

Quarter1234Total
Bears7710024
Packers0701017

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

The Chicago Bears sweep the Packers for the first time since 1991 with this victory.

Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Quarter1234Total
Seahawks077317
Packers677323

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

The Packers win their last game of the season over the Seattle Seahawks. Packer fans gave Brett Favre a standing ovation at the beginning and end of the game as it was possibly his last game, which turned out not to be the case.

Standings

NFC North
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) Chicago Bears 1150.6885–110–2260202L1
Minnesota Vikings 970.5635–18–4306344W1
Detroit Lions 5110.3131–53–9254345L1
Green Bay Packers 4120.2501–54–8298344W1

Season statistical leaders

NFC leaders

References

  1. "All Time Coaches Database". Packers.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.