Packers (including QB Doug Pederson ) at their preseason game against Tennessee , August 28, 2003 The 2003 Green Bay Packers season was the franchise's 85th season overall and their 83rd in the National Football League (NFL).
The Packers won the division on the last play of the season. Needing a win and a Minnesota Vikings loss to clinch the division, the Packers routed the Denver Broncos 31–3, while the Vikings lost 18–17 on a last second touchdown by the 3-12 Arizona Cardinals .
The Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round in overtime off an interception return for a touchdown by Al Harris after Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck proclaimed "We want the ball and we're going to score! " after the overtime coin toss. However, the season finished with an overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional round of the playoffs after failing to stop the Eagles on 4th and 26 , where a defensive stand on the play would have sealed the team a trip to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1997 as the Eagles had only one timeout remaining and just over a minute left in regulation.
In the Week 16 Monday night game , Brett Favre threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns in a 41–7 win over the Oakland Raiders , one night after his father died of a heart attack.
Offseason
The Packers were able to add Al Harris to their starting lineup from a trade with Philadelphia. They lost starters Terry Glenn to a trade and Vonnie Holliday to free agency.[ 1]
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
Personnel
Staff
2003 Green Bay Packers staff
Front office
President and chief executive officer – Bob Harlan
Executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer – John Jones
Vice president of Player Finance/General Counsel – Andrew Brandt
Vice president of football operations – Mark Hatley
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
Assistant director of pro personnel – Sean Howard Head coaches
Executive vice president/general manager/head coach – Mike Sherman
Assistant head coach/defensive backs – Bob Slowik Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Barry Rubin
Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Mark Lovat
Weight Room Assistant – Vince Workman
Roster
2003 Green Bay Packers roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Injured Reserve
Practice Squad
Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 inactive, 5 practice squad
Preseason
Regular season
The Packers finished the season 10–6 and advanced to the Divisional round of the playoffs.
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Game site
TV Time (CST)
Attendance
1
September 7
Minnesota Vikings L 25–30Lambeau Field Fox 12:00pm70,505
2
September 14
Detroit Lions W 31–6Lambeau Field
Fox 12:00pm70,244
3
September 21
at Arizona Cardinals
L 13–20Sun Devil Stadium Fox 3:05pm58,784
4
at Chicago Bears
W 38–23Soldier Field ABC 8:00pm61,500
5
October 5
Seattle Seahawks W 35–13Lambeau Field
Fox 12:00pm70,365
6
October 12
Kansas City Chiefs L 34–40 (OT) Lambeau Field
CBS 12:00pm70,407
7
October 19
at St. Louis Rams
L 24–34Edward Jones Dome Fox 12:00pm66,201
8
Bye
9
November 2
at Minnesota Vikings
W 30–27Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome ESPN 7:30pm64,482
10
Philadelphia Eagles L 14–17Lambeau Field
ABC 8:00pm70,291
11
November 16
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
W 20–13Raymond James Stadium Fox 3:15pm65,614
12
November 23
San Francisco 49ers W 20–10Lambeau Field
Fox 12:00pm70,250
13
November 27 at Detroit Lions
L 14–22Ford Field Fox 11:30am62,123
14
December 7
Chicago Bears W 34–21Lambeau Field
Fox 12:00pm70,458
15
December 14
at San Diego Chargers
W 38–21Qualcomm Stadium Fox 3:15pm64,978
16
at Oakland Raiders
W 41–7Network Associates Coliseum ABC 8:00pm62,298
17
December 28
Denver Broncos W 31–3Lambeau Field
CBS 3:15pm70,299
Note : Intra-division opponents are in bold text
Game summaries
Week 1: vs Minnesota Vikings
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 27-yard field goal, 11:02 (Min 10–3)
Min – D'Wayne Bates 2-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Aaron Elling kick), 5:34 (Min 17–3)
Min – Aaron Elling 46-yard field goal, 0:04 (Min 20–3) Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Min – Aaron Elling 34-yard field goal, 10:07 (Min 30–11)
GB – Ahman Green 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:27 (Min 30–18)
GB – Javon Walker 24-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 1:55 (Min 30–25)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
Min – 183 – 154 – 337 – 2
GB – 242 – 62 – 304 – 5
Week 2: vs Detroit Lions
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Det – Jason Hanson 22-yard field goal, 12:20 (GB 14–3)
GB – Ryan Longwell 46-yard field goal, 8:22 (GB 17–3)
Det – Jason Hanson 52-yard field goal, 0:00 (GB 17–6) Third quarter
GB – Robert Ferguson 14-yard pass Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:18 (GB 24–6) Fourth quarter
GB – Al Harris 56-yard interception return (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:18 (GB 31–6)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
Det – 237 – 56 – 293 – 3
GB – 132 – 200 – 332 – 2
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – David Martin 4-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:44 (Tie 7–7)
GB – Ryan Longwell 40-yard field goal, 1:17 (GB 10–7)
Ari – Bill Gramatica 21-yard field goal, 0:05 (Tie 10–10) Third quarter
Ari – Bill Gramatica 37-yard field goal, 7:31 (Ari 13–10) Fourth quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 40-yard field goal, 11:08 (Tie 13–13)
Ari – James Hodgins 1-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Bill Gramatica kick), 3:59 (Ari 20–13)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 245 – 66 – 311 – 2
Ari – 273 – 81 – 354 – 1
Week 4: at Chicago Bears
Game information
First quarter
GB – Ahman Green 60-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:55 (GB 7–0)
GB – Ryan Longwell 34-yard field goal, 2:32 (GB 10–0)
GB – Ahman Green 6-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:19 (GB 17–0) Second quarter
Third quarter
Chi – Paul Edinger 41-yard field goal, 0:02 (GB 24–9) Fourth quarter
Chi – Anthony Thomas 67-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 12:36 (GB 24–16)
GB – Javon Walker 9-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:51 (GB 31–16)
GB – Bubba Franks 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 4:21 (GB 38–16)
Chi – Kordell Stewart 1-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 1:28 (GB 38–23)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 193 – 187 – 380 – 1
Chi – 180 – 181 – 361 – 2
Week 5: vs Seattle Seahawks
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ahman Green 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:13 (GB 14–7)
SEA – Josh Brown 27-yard field goal, 5:28 (GB 14–10)
GB – Ahman Green 3-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:36 (GB 21–10)
SEA – Josh Brown 58-yard field goal, 0:00 (GB 21–13) Third quarter
GB – Tony Fisher 11-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:09 (GB 28–13)
GB – William Henderson 2-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:39 (GB 35–13) Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
SEA – 215 – 128 – 343 – 2
GB – 177 – 159 – 336 – 0
Week 6: vs Kansas City Chiefs
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Johnnie Morton 10-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Anderson kick), 9:16 (Tied 14–14)
GB – Ahman Green 11-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:14 (GB 21–14) Third quarter
GB – Najeh Davenport 18-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:47 (GB 28–14)
GB – Ryan Longwell 50-yard field goal, 6:01 (GB 31–14) Fourth quarter
KC – Priest Holmes 1-yard run (Morten Anderson kick), 12:20 (GB 31–21)
KC – Jerome Woods 79-yard interception return (Morten Anderson kick), 8:46 (GB 31–28)
KC – Morten Anderson 34-yard field goal, 5:41 (Tied 31–31)
GB – Ryan Longwell 34-yard field goal, 2:43 (GB 34–31)
KC – Morten Anderson 31-yard field goal, 0:01 (Tied 34–34) Overtime
KC – Eddie Kennison 51-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Anderson kick), 8:42 (KC 40–34)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
KC – 400 – 82 – 482 – 0
GB – 257 – 183 – 400 – 2
Week 7: at St. Louis Rams
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ahman Green 21-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:23 (Stl 14–10)
Stl – Torry Holt 9-yard pass from Marc Bulger, 0:57 (Stl 21–10) Third quarter
GB – William Henderson 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:56 (Stl 21–17)
Stl – Dane Looker 20-yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick), 4:11 (Stl 28–17) Fourth quarter
Stl – Jeff Wilkins 39-yard field goal, 4:52 (Stl 31–17)
Stl – Jeff Wilkins 43-yard field goal, 2:56 (Stl 34–17)
GB – Najeh Davenport 76-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 1:48 (Stl 34–24)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 256 – 116 – 372 – 4
Stl – 239 – 131 – 370 – 2
Week 9: at Minnesota Vikings
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ahman Green 5-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 12:18 (GB 13–7)
Min – Jim Kleinsasser 4-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Aaron Elling kick), 2:07 (Min 14–13)
GB – Javon Walker 12-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:21 (GB 20–14) Third quarter
Min – Aaron Elling 47-yard field goal, 8:53 (GB 20–17)
Min – Aaron Elling 37-yard field goal, 2:26 (Tied 20–20) Fourth quarter
GB – Javon Walker 12-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:14 (GB 27–20)
GB – Ryan Longwell 27-yard field goal, 2:37 (GB 30–20)
Min – Daunte Culpepper 1-yard run (Aaron Elling kick), 0:33 (GB 30–27)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 190 – 261 – 451 – 1
Min – 198 – 125 – 323 – 0
Week 10: vs Philadelphia Eagles
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Phi – Donovan McNabb 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 9:22 (Phi 10–7)
GB – Ahman Green 45-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 7:03 (GB 14–10)
Phi – Todd Pinkston 6-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 0:27 (Phi 17–14)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
Phi – 190 – 92 – 282 – 0
GB – 68 – 241 – 309 – 3
On November 5, 2003, the Packers claimed defensive tackle Grady Jackson off waivers from the New Orleans Saints.[ 2] [ 3] [ 3] [ 2]
Week 11: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 31-yard field goal, 13:04 (GB 10–0)
TB – Martin Gramatica 24-yard field goal, 10:36 (GB 10–3)
GB – Ryan Longwell 33-yard field goal, 7:52 (GB 13–3)
TB – Martin Gramatica 47-yard field goal, 0:00 (GB 13–6) Third quarter
Fourth quarter
GB – Ahman Green 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:54 (GB 20–13)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 92 – 190 – 282 – 1
TB – 131 – 154 – 285 – 3
Week 12: vs San Francisco 49ers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Robert Ferguson 16-yard pass Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:00 (GB 14–0)
SF – Todd Peterson 24-yard field goal, 2:00 (GB 14–3)
GB – Ryan Longwell 38-yard field goal, 0:00 (GB 17–3) Third quarter
Fourth quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 37-yard field goal, 7:44 (GB 20–10)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
SF – 119 – 73 – 192 – 1
GB – 136 – 243 – 379 – 3
Week 13: at Detroit Lions
Game information
First quarter
Det – Shawn Bryson 6-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 8:05 (Det 7–0)
Det – Jason Hanson 42-yard field goal, 0:33 (Det 10–0) Second quarter
Third quarter
GB – Javon Walker 45-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:48 (GB 14–13) Fourth quarter
Det – Jason Hanson 49-yard field goal, 13:09 (Det 16–14)
Det – Jason Hanson 46-yard field goal, 9:17 (Det 19–14)
Det – Jason Hanson 32-yard field goal, 3:34 (Det 22–14)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 268 – 52 – 320 – 5
Det – 172 – 94 – 266 – 1
Week 14: vs Chicago Bears
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 24-yard field goal, 11:12 (Chi 14–3)
GB – Ryan Longwell 38-yard field goal, 9:57 (Chi 14–6)
GB – Javon Walker 22-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:43 (Chi 14–13) Third quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 35-yard field goal, 6:52 (GB 16–14)
GB – Ryan Longwell 45-yard field goal, 0:43 (GB 19–14) Fourth quarter
GB – Mike McKenzie 90-yard interception return (Bubba Franks pass from Brett Favre), 9:16 (GB 27–14)
GB – Ahman Green 2-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:26 (GB 34–14)
Chi – Jerry Azumah 88-yard kickoff return (Paul Edinger kick), 2:13 (GB 34–21)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
Chi – 231 – 44 – 275 – 5
GB – 210 – 97 – 307 – 1
Week 15: at San Diego Chargers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 32-yard field goal, 8:59 (GB 10–3)
GB – Donald Driver 7-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:33 (GB 17–3) Third quarter
SD – Steve Christie 26-yard field goal, 8:52 (GB 17–6) Fourth quarter
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson 7-yard pass from Drew Brees (David Boston pass from Drew Brees), 14:56 (GB 17–14)
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson 68-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 12:10 (SD 21–17)
GB – Robert Ferguson 40-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:18 (GB 24–21)
GB – Ahman Green 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:37 (GB 31–21)
GB – Robert Ferguson 16-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:58 (GB 38–21)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 278 – 83 – 361 – 1
SD – 336 – 88 – 424 – 4
Week 16: at Oakland Raiders
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 31-yard field goal, 11:35 (GB 17–7)
GB – Javon Walker 43-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 7:06 (GB 24–7)
GB – David Martin 6-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:54 (GB 31–7) Third quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 27-yard field goal, 13:00 (GB 34–7) Fourth quarter
GB – Ahman Green 7-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 4:46 (GB 41–7)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
GB – 392 – 156 – 548 – 0
Oak – 194 – 104 – 298 – 3
The day before the Week 16 game, Irvin Favre, father of Brett Favre, died suddenly of a heart attack. Favre elected to play and passed for four touchdowns in the first half, and 399 yards in a 41–7 defeat of the Raiders. Afterwards, Favre said, "I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play. I love him so much and I love this game. It's meant a great deal to me, to my dad, to my family, and I didn't expect this kind of performance. But I know he was watching tonight."[ 4]
Week 17: vs Denver Broncos
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 33-yard field goal, 4:43 (GB 10–0) Third quarter
Den – Jason Elam 31-yard field goal, 4:00 (Tied 10–3)
GB – Ahman Green 2-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 1:35 (GB 17–3) Fourth quarter
GB – Ahman Green 98-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:18 (GB 24–3)
GB – Marcus Wilkins 0-yard fumble return (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:10 (GB 31–3)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Team – – – –
Den – 102 – 114 – 216 – 3
GB – 104 – 262 – 366 – 1
Lambeau Field on a game day, December 2003
Playoffs
vs. Seattle Seahawks
Packers defensive back Al Harris returned an interception 52 yards for the game-winning touchdown 4:25 in overtime. The game was sent into overtime on Seahawk running back Shaun Alexander 's third touchdown of the day. Ahman Green scored two touchdowns for Green Bay, and Bubba Franks caught a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The game is memorable for Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck 's ironic comment after winning the coin toss for the start of overtime, telling the referee "We want the ball and we're going to score! "[ 5] [ 6]
Packers quarterback Brett Favre completed 26 of 38 passes for 319 yards and a touchdown.
This would be the last playoff win for the Packers without Aaron Rodgers until 2023 when Jordan Love led the 7th seeded Packers past the Dallas Cowboys 48-32. Despite the close final, the Packers led 27-0 late in the 2nd quarter. Brett Favre 's last playoff win would come in 2007 when Green Bay beat Seattle in the Divisional Round 42-20 before falling to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship the following week.
vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ahman Green 's franchise postseason record 156 rushing yards was not enough to lift the Packers to victory. Facing fourth down and 26 yards to go, with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter and the Packers leading 17–14, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb completed a 28-yard pass to Freddie Mitchell on a famous play now known as "4th and 26 ". The play set up David Akers ' 37-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. In the overtime Favre's deep pass was intercepted, and Akers then kicked a 31-yard field goal, giving the Eagles the victory.
McNabb had a spectacular performance in the game, completing 21 of 39 passes for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also rushing for 107 yards on 11 carries.
Standings
Awards and honors
Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Completion Percentage (65.4)
Brett Favre, NFC Leader, Touchdown Passes (32)
References
^ Offseason Overview: Green Bay Packers , espn.com obtained 2009-03-12^ a b "Green Bay Packers 2003 Team Transactions - Trades, Injured List, Free Agents, and Signings - ESPN" . ESPN.com . Retrieved September 10, 2018 .^ a b "2003 Green Bay Packers Statistics & Players | Pro-Football-Reference.com" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved September 10, 2018 .^ "Official Packers press release regarding the 12/22/03 game" . Archived from the original on March 9, 2006. Retrieved August 6, 2006 .^ "Live NFL Scores for 2021 - Week 10" . NFL.com ^ "WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL" . Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2007 .
External links
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Tony Fisher and others, August 28