Super Bowl XXXI Victory (1997)
Ending a 29-year drought, Green Bay dethrones Dallas in New Orleans.
Super Bowl XXXI wasn't just a game; it was the end of a 29-year silence for Green Bay. On January 26, 1997, inside the Louisiana Superdome, Brett Favre and the Packers seized their first NFL title since Vince Lombardi's era. The victory capped a season where they owned the NFC's top seed, but the legacy was cemented by Mike Holmgren's masterful offensive scheme and a defense that finally overcame the Dallas Cowboys' star power.
- Opponent
- Dallas Cowboys
- Final Score
- 35-21
- MVP
- Brett Favre (Quarterback)
- Location
- Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
- Date
- January 26, 1997
- Key Defensive Play
- Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown
Lore & Background
The matchup pitted Green Bay's high-octane passing game against Dallas' physical defense, but the turning point arrived on special teams. Desmond Howard electrified the Superdome with a record-tying 99-yard kickoff return touchdown—a play that didn't just add points, it shattered Dallas' momentum. From that moment, the Packers controlled the clock and the narrative, securing their place in history not just through ground-and-pound or air raids, but through a singular explosion of special teams brilliance.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Superdome was thick with humidity and anticipation. On the sideline, Brett Favre adjusted his helmet, his eyes scanning the Dallas defense that had terrified opponents all season. The ball snapped, and chaos erupted; a quick slant to Antonio Freeman, a scramble to avoid the sack, and then a laser beam finding Robert Brooks in the end zone. As the clock wound down, the roar of the Green Bay faithful drowned out the crowd noise. Desmond Howard caught the kickoff, his eyes fixed on the goal line as defenders closed in. He juke-danced past one, stiff-armed another, and sprinted into history. The final whistle blew, and for the first time since 1968, the Lombardi Trophy was raised by a Green Bay Packers player.
Reader's Guide
The era of Super Bowl XXXI represents the definitive renaissance of the modern Green Bay Packers franchise. Following decades of instability and failure to win a championship after Vince Lombardi's departure in 1967, this victory validated the front office's bold decision to hire Mike Holmgren and draft Brett Favre. It was not merely a single game win; it was the culmination of a systematic rebuild that emphasized offensive creativity and defensive resilience.
This chapter defined the club's identity for the next quarter-century, proving that a small-market team could consistently compete with and defeat the NFL's financial giants like Dallas. The success established a culture of excellence where playoff appearances became expected rather than aspirational. It bridged the gap between the golden age of the 1960s and the sustained competitiveness of the 2000s and beyond, creating a continuous thread of championship contention that defines the Packers to this day.
For the fanbase, this victory healed generational wounds. It transformed the narrative from one of perpetual heartbreak to one of renewed hope and dominance. The 1996 season and its culminating Super Bowl win remain the benchmark against which all future success is measured.
Did You Know?
- Desmond Howard became the first player to win Super Bowl MVP primarily for his performance on special teams with his record-tying 99-yard kickoff return touchdown.
- This was the Packers' third Super Bowl appearance and their first victory since Super Bowl II in 1968, ending a 29-year championship drought.
- Brett Favre threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Antonio Freeman and one to Robert Brooks during the game.
- The victory marked Mike Holmgren's first of two Super Bowl wins as a head coach with Green Bay.