The 1996 NFC Championship vs Falcons
Favre defies the freeze to send Green Bay back to the Super Bowl.
The 1996 NFC Championship Game stands as a defining moment in the modern Green Bay Packers era, played on January 5, 1997, at Lambeau Field. Facing the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback Brett Favre led his team through freezing temperatures to secure a dramatic overtime victory. This contest is remembered not just for the score, but for the resilience required to execute an offense in sub-zero conditions.
- Date
- January 5, 1997
- Location
- Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Final Score
- Packers 30, Falcons 27 (OT)
- Season
- 1996 NFL Season
- Opponent
- Atlanta Falcons
- MVP
- Brett Favre
Lore & Background
The victory propelled the Packers to Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots, where they would eventually claim their second Vince Lombardi Trophy. The overtime win was particularly significant as it marked the first NFC Championship Game to extend beyond regulation time. It remains a touchstone for fans recalling the late 90s dynasty.
In Their Own Story
The breath of the crowd hung in white clouds above the frozen turf, visible even under the stadium lights. Brett Favre huddled his teammates close, his voice steady against the howling wind that rattled the goalposts. Every snap was a battle against the elements, but when Ryan Longwell lined up for the kick, the silence of Green Bay held its breath before erupting in triumph.
Reader's Guide
The Green Bay Packers hosted the Atlanta Falcons on a frigid January morning, battling for the NFC title and a trip to Super Bowl XXXI. Both teams entered with playoff momentum, but Lambeau Field’s notorious winter conditions promised a grueling physical test for any visitor hoping to win. Throughout regulation, the biting wind chill hampered passing accuracy, forcing quarterbacks to rely on short passes and running plays. Brett Favre kept Green Bay competitive despite Atlanta’s defensive pressure, while the Falcons’ offense struggled to maintain rhythm in the freezing air. Reggie White anchored the defense with critical sacks that stalled momentum shifts during key drives. Overtime arrived with no lead changes, governed by the sudden-death rules of the era. Packers kicker Ryan Longwell drilled a field goal through the frozen air as time expired on the clock. This victory sent Green Bay to their third Super Bowl appearance in four years and cemented Favre’s legacy as a cold-weather warrior for life.
Did You Know?
- This was the first NFC Championship Game in history to go into overtime.
- Ryan Longwell kicked the game-winning field goal from 42 yards out.
- The wind chill during the game reached approximately -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
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