Throwback Ten: Week 8

Each week throughout the 2015 NFL Season, ProFootballHOF.com will preserve some history by taking a look back at a matchup from the weekend’s schedule.

The Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos meet this weekend in a cross-conference battle for the first time since 2011. The Packers and Broncos enter this Sunday Night Football matchup with perfect 6-0 records. Denver looks to remain unbeaten and start a season at 7-0 for just the second time in franchise history. Meanwhile the Packers can reach 7-0 for the third time since 1945 and the second time under head coach Mike McCarthy.

To help put this Super Bowl XXXII rematch in perspective, here are ten quick historical notes about the Packers-Broncos series.

1.

This is just the fourth time in NFL history two teams face off with a 6-0 record or better. The other meetings include a 0-0 tie between the Akron Pros (7-0) and Buffalo All-Americans (6-0) on Nov. 13, 1921; the Los Angeles Rams (6-0) and Minnesota Vikings (6-0) on Oct. 28, 1973, which resulted in a 10-9 Vikings victory; and the New England Patriots (8-0) at the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 4, 2007 when the Patriots came away with a 24-20 victory on their way to the NFL’s only 16-0 regular season.

2.

The contest marks the 13th regular season meeting between the teams. The Packers hold a slight edge in the series 6-5-1, while winning five of the last six matchups.  

3.

The Broncos hold the all-important postseason advantage by winning Super Bowl XXXII 31-24 on Jan. 25, 1997.

4.

Broncos running back Terrell Davis carried the load for Denver in Super Bowl XXXII. He rushed the ball 30 times for 157 yards and a Super Bowl record 3 touchdowns. Davis was awarded Super Bowl XXXII MVP honors for his incredible efforts.

5.

Green Bay’s only victory in Denver came in 2007 when they defeated the Broncos 19-13 in overtime. The game ended on an 82-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre (see list of modern-era nominees for the Hall’s Class of 2016) to Greg Jennings on the first play from scrimmage in the extra period.

6.

The Packers and Broncos first met in 1971, one season after the AFL-NFL merger. In a week 2 showdown, Green Bay defeated Denver, 34-13, at County Stadium in Milwaukee despite completing only five passes for 101 yards and throwing three interceptions by three different quarterbacks.

7.

The last time these two teams matched up, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers completed 29 of 38 pass attempts for 408 yards, four TDs and one INT (134.5 passer rating). He added nine rushes for 36 yards and two TDs. He was the first quarterback in NFL history to have 400 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns in a game.

8.

The only tie game played in this series occurred on Sept. 20, 1987. The Broncos were heavy favorites and dominated the game in terms of first downs (29-14) and total yards (478-234). However, six turnovers set them behind 17-10 early in the fourth quarter. Gold Jacket John Elway led the Broncos on an 18-play, 80-yard drive to tie the game at 17. Both teams missed field goals in the overtime period and the game ended in a tie. The tie resulted in the Broncos finishing a half game in front of the Cleveland Browns that season giving them the AFC’s best record and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Denver defeated the Brown 38-33 in the AFC Championship in a game that would become known as simple “The Drive.”

9.

Green Bay is undefeated against the Broncos in games played in the state of Wisconsin (5-0-1). The Packers are 1-0-1 at Milwaukee County Stadium and a perfect 4-0 in games played at Lambeau Field. However, they have only won once in the series on the road.

10.

INVESCO Field at Mile High is the fifth stadium to host a game in this series. The others include Milwaukee County Stadium (pictured below), Mile High Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and Lambeau Field.