The 2006 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise's 88th season overall and their 86th in the National Football League (NFL).
This season resulted in an 8–8 record. After the firing of Mike Sherman, the Packers hired Mike McCarthy as their head coach. 2006 would be McCarthy's first year as head coach. The Packers improved from 4–12 the previous year to a .500 win average in 2006. The Packers were effectively eliminated from playoff contention for the second straight year after the New York Giants gained the decisive tiebreaker over the Packers in the last week of the 2006 NFL season.
Offseason After some uncertainty, quarterback Brett Favre announced on April 26, 2006, that he would indeed return for the 2006 season. The Packers also acquired Oakland Raiders three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson through free agency later that day. He officially signed with the team on May 9.
The Packers drafted Ohio State linebacker A. J. Hawk with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft on April 29, 2006. The Packers also traded star wide receiver (and potential holdout) Javon Walker to the Denver Broncos for a second round pick, which they then traded for multiple picks.
Undrafted free agents
+ 2006 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeChris FranciesWide ReceiverUTEPA. J. CooperTight End North Dakota StateJon RyanPunterReginaTramon WilliamsCornerbackLouisiana Tech
The Packers picked up notable undrafted free agent Tramon Williams during the 2006 offseason, who later became the starting corner for the Super Bowl Champion 2010 Green Bay Packers. He was also selected but did not participate in the 2010 Pro Bowl.
Free agents
The Packers signed two notable free agents, CB Charles Woodson from the Oakland Raiders and DT Ryan Pickett from the St Louis Rams. Woodson would later be named the 2009 NFC Defensive Player of the Year and both players were integral parts of the 2010 Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Championship team.
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Game site Record 1 September 10 Chicago Bears L 0–26 Lambeau Field 0–1 2 September 17 New Orleans Saints L 27–34 Lambeau Field 0–2 3 September 24 at Detroit Lions W 31–24 Ford Field 1–2 4 at Philadelphia Eagles L 9–31 Lincoln Financial Field 1–3 5 October 8 St. Louis Rams L 20–23 Lambeau Field 1–4 6 Bye 7 October 22 at Miami Dolphins W 34–24 Dolphin Stadium 2–4 8 October 29 Arizona Cardinals W 31–14 Lambeau Field 3–4 9 November 5 at Buffalo Bills L 10–24 Ralph Wilson Stadium 3–5 10 November 12 at Minnesota Vikings W 23–17 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 4–5 11 November 19 New England Patriots L 0–35 Lambeau Field 4–6 12 at Seattle Seahawks L 24–34 Qwest Field 4–7 13 December 3 New York Jets L 10–38 Lambeau Field 4–8 14 December 10 at San Francisco 49ers W 30–19 Monster Park 5–8 15 December 17 Detroit Lions W 17–9 Lambeau Field 6–8 16 Minnesota Vikings W 9–7 Lambeau Field 7–8 17 December 31 at Chicago Bears W 26–7 Soldier Field 8–8
Standings
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
Game summary The Packers opened the regular season on September 10 with a 26–0 loss to the Chicago Bears, the Packers' first scoreless game since October 17, 1991.
With the loss, the Packers began their season 0–1.
Scoring summary TeamQtrTimePlay Description (Extra Point)Drive InfoScoreBears112:05B. Berrian 49 yd. TD pass from R. Grossman (R. Gould kick)6 plays, 78 yards in 2:55CHI 7–0Bears213:44R. Gould 40 yd. Field Goal9–62, 4:03CHI 10–0Bears26:29R.Gould 39 yd. Field Goal10–36, 4:33CHI 13–0Bears24:38R.Gould 28 yd. Field Goal4–6, 1:45CHI 16–0Bears31:47R.Gould 30 yd. Field Goal10–54, 5:12CHI 19–0Bears414:06D.Hester 84 yd. punt return (R.Gould kick)N/ACHI 26–0 The day after the game the Packers acquired wide receiver Koren Robinson, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings after his second DUI in two years.
Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints
Game summary The Packers hosted the New Orleans Saints on September 17, losing 34–27. The Packers jumped out to a 13–0 lead after forcing 3 Saints turnovers, but were not able to hold the lead in the second half. With the loss, the Packers fell to 0–2.Saints Top Packers 34–27 from AP 09-17-2006
Scoring summary TeamQtrTimePlay Description (Extra Point)Drive InfoScorePackers111:06G.Jennings 22 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)5 plays, 37 yards in 2:36GB 7–0Packers18:38D.Rayner 24 yd. Field Goal4–9, 0:58GB 10–0Packers10:50D.Rayner 36 yd. Field Goal8–75, 3:53GB 13–0Saints27:44D.McAllister 3 yd. run (J.Carney kick)9–58, 3:25GB 13–7Saints20:56D.Henderson 26 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Carney kick)10–73, 3:31NO 14-13Saints35:41J.Carney 45 yd. Field Goal5–53, 2:06NO 17-13Saints33:02J.Carney 47 yd. Field Goal5–30, 1:22NO 20-13Packers414:18R.Ferguson 4 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)9–80, 3:44Tied 20–20Saints48:20M.Colston 35 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Carney kick)6–65, 2:27NO 27-20Saints47:54D.McAllister 23 yd. run (J.Carney kick)1–23, 0:07NO 34-20Packers44:18N.Herron 6 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)10–68, 3:36NO 34-27
Week 3 at Lions
The Packers posted their first win for the season while playing the Detroit Lions in Detroit, 31–24. Brett Favre completed his 400th career touchdown pass on a 75-yard play to rookie Greg Jennings, becoming only the second person (in addition to Dan Marino) to reach 400. With the win the Packers improved to 1–2 while the Lions fell to 0–3.Favre Throws 400th TD Pass In Packers' Victory Over Detroit from AP 9-24-2006 Favre was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Week 4: at Philadelphia Eagles
Game summary The Packers went to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Monday Night Football. The Packers started running back Vernand Morency as Ahman Green was inactive due to injury. The Packers held the lead at half time, but the Eagles scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to earn the victory.McNabb Does It All in Eagles' 31–9 Win from AP February 10, 2006 As a result of Ahmad Carroll's performance in week 4, as well as previous weeks, the Packers released him from the team. With the loss, the Packers fell to 1–3.Packers Release CB Ahmad Carroll from Packers.com 10–03–06
Scoring summary TeamQtrTimePlay Description (Extra Point)Drive InfoScorePackers110:07D.Rayner 23 yd. Field Goal8 plays, 48 yards in 1:50GB 3–0Eagles29:43D.McNabb 6 yd. run (D.Akers kick)2–6, 0:08PHI 7–3Packers25:32D.Rayner 54 yd. Field Goal8–35, 4:11PHI 7–6Packers21:45D.Rayner 46 yd. Field Goal9–42, 2:38GB 9–7Eagles38:21D.Akers 40 yd. Field Goal15–57, 6:39PHI 10–9Eagles35:08G.Lewis 45 yd. pass from D.McNabb (D.Akers kick)2–56, 0:47PHI 17–9Eagles33:51G.Lewis 30 yd. pass from D.McNabb (D.Akers kick)1–44, 0:17PHI 24–9Eagles412:41D.McNabb 15 yd. run (D.Akers kick)6–66, 3:00PHI 31–9
Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams
Game summary Noah Herron rushed for a career best 106 yards against the St. Louis Rams, but quarterback Marc Bulger of the Rams threw for two touchdowns to help his team to victory. The Packers had a chance to tie the score with a field goal or take the lead with a touchdown in their final possession, but were unable to do so as quarterback Brett Favre was sacked and fumbled at the St. Louis 18 yard line. The Rams were able to recover the ball.
With the loss, the Packers went into their bye week at 1–4. from AP August 10, 2006
Scoring summary TeamQtrTimePlay Description (Extra Point)Drive InfoScoreRams19:49T.Holt 6 yd. pass from M.Bulger (J.Wilkins kick)6 plays, 37 yards in 3:01STL 7–0Packers11:38N.Herron 1 yd. run (D.Rayner kick)15–80, 8:11Tied 7–7Packers213:12D.Rayner 27 yd. Field Goal5–49, 1:48GB 10–7Rams23:27K.Curtis 3 yd. pass from M.Bulger (J.Wilkins kick)9–64, 5:01STL 14–10Packers20:00D.Rayner 32 yd. Field Goal10–46, 3:27STL 14–13Rams33:04J.Wilkins 31 yd. Field Goal8–32, 3:34STL 17–13Rams414:53J.Wilkins 26 yd. Field Goal7–41, 2:13STL 20–13Rams49:25J.Wilkins 20 yd. Field Goal9–78, 4:25STL 23–13Packers46:42G.Jennings 46 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)5–64, 2:43STL 23–20
Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
Game summary Coming off their bye week, Green Bay defeated the Miami Dolphins on the road as the Packers defense intercepted quarterback Joey Harrington three times, with Charles Woodson returning one for a touchdown. Ahman Green carried the ball 18 times for 118 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown run. Brett Favre completed 19 of 35 passes, recording 206 yards and 2 touchdown passes. This was the first victory for the Packers in Miami since winning Super Bowl II in 1968 as the team improved to 2–4.
Scoring summary TeamQtrTimePlay Description (Extra Point)Drive InfoScoreDolphins17:51M.Booker 8 yd. pass from J.Harrington (O.Mare kick)1 play, 8 yards in 0:05MIA 7–0Packers212:08D.Rayner 42 yd. Field Goal9–30, 3:44MIA 7–3Packers29:50D.Rayner 34 yd. Field Goal6–14, 1:32MIA 7–6Dolphins21:03O.Mare 32 yd. Field Goal10–70, 4:29MIA 10–6Packers314:10C.Woodson 23 yd. interception return (D.Rayner kick)N/AGB 13–10Packers38:51D.Driver 34 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)6–64, 2:46GB 20–10Dolphins36:30O.Mare 40 yd. Field Goal7–39, 2:21GB 20–13Dolphins413:28O.Mare 45 yd. Field Goal9–41, 4:01GB 20–16Packers413:14A.Green 70 yd. run (D.Rayner kick)1–70, 0:14GB 27–13Dolphins411:56D.Hagan 13 yd. pass from J.Harrington (J.Harrington-M.Booker pass)5–80, 1:18GB 27–21Packers46:11D.Martin 13 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)11–80, 5:45GB 34–21
Week 8: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Game summary The Green Bay Packers won over the visiting Arizona Cardinals at home as running backs Ahman Green and Vernand Morency each rushed for over 100 yards, becoming the first Packers running back duo to accomplish that feat since the 1980s. Brett Favre threw for 180 yards and one touchdown, as well as one rushing touchdown which he celebrated with his first and only Lambeau Leap. Leading Green Bay's receiving corps was Donald Driver, who had five receptions for 58 Yards. Coming up behind him was David Martin, who had four receptions for 48 Yards and one touchdown. On defense, the Packers limited Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart to 14/35 for 157 yards with one touchdown and one interception. They also held Cardinals running back Edgerrin James to 84 rushing yards on 24 carries, along with three receptions for 25 receiving yards. from AP 10-29-2006 Aaron Kampman was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.
With the win, the Packers improved to 3–4.Vick, Kampman, Hurd win NFC awards from 11–01–06
Scoring summary TeamQtrTimePlay Description (Extra Point)Drive InfoScorePackers15:05D.Martin 1 yd. pass from B.Favre (D.Rayner kick)9 plays, 88 yards in 4:37GB 7–0Packers214:22A.Green 4 yd. run (D.Rayner kick)9–70, 3:19GB 14–0Packers26:24A.Green 2 yd. run (D.Rayner kick)9–87, 3:25GB 21–0Cardinals20:29E.James 1 yd. run (N.Rackers kick)14–84, 5:55GB 21–7Packers37:41B.Favre 1 yd. run (D.Rayner kick)13–74, 7:19GB 28–7Cardinals31:33T.Walters 17 yd. pass from M.Leinart (N.Rackers kick)13–59, 6:08GB 28–14Packers46:56D.Rayner 42 yd. Field Goal10–47, 6:18GB 31–14
Week 9: at Buffalo Bills
Game summary
The Green Bay Packers traveled on the road to face the Buffalo Bills. The Bills were able to lead the Packers at half time with a 10–0 lead, capitalizing on an interception return for a touchdown by London Fletcher. In the second half, the Packers tied the score with a touchdown pass to Donald Driver. The Bills were able to score in the fourth quarter with 43 yard touchdown pass to receiver Lee Evans. The Packers drove the ball deep to the one-yard line, but on first down the ball is intercepted and returned deep in Packer territory. The Bills were able to score three plays later to increase the lead by 14 and earn a victory.
With the loss, the Packers fell to 3–5. from AP May 11, 2006
Scoring summary