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 and only losing season the franchise would have involving quarterback Brett Favre.
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 of the 2025 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. Additions SubtractionsLB Robert Thomas (Rams) G Marco Rivera (Cowboys)G Matt O'Dwyer (Buccaneers) G Mike Wahle (Panthers)G Adrian Klemm (Patriots) FS Darren Sharper (Vikings)S Earl Little (Browns) LB Hannibal Navies (Bengals)S Todd Franz (Redskins) CB Michael Hawthorne (Rams) FS Bhawoh Jue (Chargers) QB Doug Pederson (retirement) P Bryan Barker (Rams) FB Nick Luchey (Bengals)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2005 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeBryce BenekosPunterUTEPVince ButlerWide receiverNorthwestern Oklahoma StateGarrett CrossTight endCaliforniaPatrick DendyCornerbackRiceSteve FlemingTight endArizonaSamkon GadoRunning backLibertyA. J. LindsayDefensive tackleTempleRoy ManningLinebackerMichiganChris SampWide receiverWinona StateLeigh TorrenceCornerbackStanfordChris WhiteCenterSouthern MissChaz WilliamsRunning backGeorgia SouthernZac WoodfinLinebackerUAB
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 11 at Detroit Lions L 3–17 0–1 Ford Field 61,877 2 September 18 Cleveland Browns L 24–26 0–2 Lambeau Field 70,400 3 September 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 16–17 0–3 Lambeau Field 70,518 4 at Carolina Panthers L 29–32 0–4 Bank of America Stadium 73,657 5 October 9 New Orleans Saints W 52–3 1–4 Lambeau Field 70,580 6 Bye 7 October 23 at Minnesota Vikings L 20–23 1–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,278 8 October 30 at Cincinnati Bengals L 14–21 1–6 Paul Brown Stadium 65,940 9 November 6 Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–20 1–7 Lambeau Field 70,607 10 November 13 at Atlanta Falcons W 33–25 2–7 Georgia Dome 71,001 11 Minnesota Vikings L 17–20 2–8 Lambeau Field 70,610 12 November 27 at Philadelphia Eagles L 14–19 2–9 Lincoln Financial Field 67,665 13 December 4 at Chicago Bears L 7–19 2–10 Soldier Field 62,177 14 December 11 Detroit Lions W 16–13 (OT) 3–10 Lambeau Field 70,019 15 at Baltimore Ravens L 3–48 3–11 M&T Bank Stadium 70,604 16 December 25 Chicago Bears L 17–24 3–12 Lambeau Field 69,757 17 January 1 Seattle Seahawks W 23–17 4–12 Lambeau Field 69,928
Week 1: at Detroit Lions
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
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
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 Buccaneers' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1989. It was also the Packers' first 0–3 start since 1988.
Week 4: at Carolina Panthers
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 kick return.
Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Packers as backup quarterback Mike McMahon led his team to victory.
Week 13: at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears beat the Packers at Soldier Field for the first time since 1993.
Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions
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
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Packers by 45 points as Kyle Boller passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears
With the loss, the Packers were swept by the Bears for the first time since 1991.
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Packers win their last game of the season over the Seattle Seahawks. Packers 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
Season statistical leaders Passing yards: Brett Favre 3,881 Yards Passing touchdowns: Brett Favre 20 TD QB rating: Brett Favre, 70.9 Rushing yards: Samkon Gado, 582 Yards Rushing touchdowns: Samkon Gado, 6 TD Receiving yards: Donald Driver, 1,221 Yards Receiving touchdowns: Donald Driver, 5 TD Points: Ryan Longwell, 90 points Kickoff return yards: Ahmad Carroll, 390 Yards Punt return yards: Antonio Chatman, 381 Yards Tackles: Nick Barnett, 91 Tackles Sacks: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, 8.0 Sacks Interceptions: Al Harris, 3 Interceptions
NFC leaders Brett Favre, NFC leader, Attempts (607) Brett Favre, NFC leader, Completions (372) Brett Favre, NFC leader, Passing yards (3,881) Brett Favre, NFC leader (tied), Interceptions (29)
References
External links 2005 Green Bay Packers at Pro-Football-Reference.com