The 2021 season was the Green Bay Packers' 101st season in the National Football League (NFL), their 103rd overall and their third under head coach Matt LaFleur.
With a Week 15 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Packers won the NFC North for the third consecutive year. With their victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, they earned home field advantage, a first round bye, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. They also became the first team in NFL history to finish three consecutive seasons with 13 or more wins. Aaron Rodgers was also named MVP for the fourth time and the second year in a row.
However, their season came to an abrupt end for the third time in a row, with a 13âÂÂ10 upset loss to the underdog San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round; this marked the Packers' fourth loss against the 49ers in the playoffs and in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs since Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback, with it also being their second home divisional loss in the Rodgers era.
While the Packers were able to clinch the top seed and clinching the NFCâÂÂs best record, the Packers special teams received scrutiny during the entire season as they were ranked 32nd in the NFL by the Football Outsiders DVOA, Packer Central, and Sports Illustrated writer Rick Gosselin. This special teams unit was one of the primary reasons why the Packers lost in the NFC Divisional Game to the 49ers. Following the loss to the 49ers, Maurice Drayton was fired as special teams coordinator. The Packers had their sixth stock sale during the season.
Notes/Trades
The roster was cut to 53 on August 31, 2021.
The Packers' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 12.
The first week was announced 11 hours ahead of the rest of the season on May 12.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Packers start off their season with a 35-point loss to the New Orleans Saints. This took place in Jacksonville due to expected power outages to the Superdome.
This was the Packers' first regular season win against the Steelers since Week 17 in 1995, and their first win against them overall since Week 2 of the 2018 Preseason. This also gave Aaron Rodgers his first regular season win over the Steelers which in turn gave him a regular season win over every team but the Packers.
The Packers handed the previously undefeated Cardinals their first loss of the season following a game-ending interception by cornerback Rasul Douglas.
This was the Packers' first loss since Week 1 against the Saints, as star QB Aaron Rodgers missed this game due to contracting COVID-19.
The Packers held off the Rams in their home in Lambeau Field. After the Rams would score to make it 20 - 17, the Packers would take a lead they would never surrender, scoring 16 unanswered points in the process to improve to 9 - 3.
Aaron Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre with his 443rd touchdown pass to Allen Lazard.
The game was the coldest of the NFL season, with a game-time temperature of 11 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wind chill of 1 degree Fahrenheit. With the win, Green Bay clinched the #1 seed in the NFC for the second straight year, and their 3rd straight 13-win season.
As the result of clinching the NFC North division title and the best record in the NFC, the Packers hosted a playoff game in the Divisional round. Despite hoisting the number 1 seed in the NFC, the Packers lost to the 49ers in the divisional round due to several special teams blunders during the game. Prior to the postseason, the special teams unit was scrutinized during the 2021 season as they were ranked 32nd in DVOA by Football Outsiders.
Despite leading 7âÂÂ0 and 7âÂÂ3 throughout most of the game, the Packers went on to lose 13âÂÂ10 to the 49ers. During the game, the special teams received scrutiny after allowing a blocked field goal, a 32-yard kick return by JaMycal Hasty, a 45-yard return by Deebo Samuel, and blocked punt that would tie the game at 10âÂÂ10 in the 4th quarter. Prior to the game, the special teams was scrutinized during the entire season as they were ranked 32nd in the NFL DVOA by Football Outsiders.
Offense
Defense
Offense
Defense