With the Green Bay Packers’ 2009 campaign officially in the books, it seemed like a good time to look back at some of the best moments of the season.
It was a great bounce-back year for the Packers, improving by five wins and making a postseason appearance. Yes, the loss to Arizona was tough, but that doesn’t erase the bounty of great moments experienced by the team.
I decided to narrow the list of moments, roughly 20 or so deep at first, down to 10 and provide you with links to each of them (and the time in the clip when you can find the particular highlight). There’s some seriously great stuff in here.
They won’t make you forget the heartbreaking loss, but they should at least make you smile.
Enjoy.
10. Donald Driver’s one-handed grab vs. St. Louis in week three. Despite being interferred with, Driver comes down with an amazing snag. The catch was proof positive that Driver’s career is far from over. (Highlight occurs 46 seconds into the clip).
9. Ryan Grant’s touchdown run vs. Chicago in week 14. Grant kicks off Green Bay’s second win over Chicago in high style with a 62-yard scoring run on the Packers’ first offensive play. Grant had an amazing second half of the season. (Highlight occurs 12 seconds into the clip)
8. Aaron Rodgers’ heave to Driver vs. Detroit in week 12. Late in the first quarter, Rodgers uncorks a bomb to Driver, covering 68 yards in all. The Pack went on to a big Turkey Day win over Detroit. (Highlight occurs 29 seconds into the clip)
7. Jermichael Finley’s leaping touchdown grab vs. Pittsburgh in week 15. Finley had more than one remarkable catch this season, but this one was arguably his best. Memo to the rest of the NFL: Get ready, ’cause this kid is going to terrorize you for the next decade – at least. (Highlight occurs 1:35 into the clip)
6. Driver sets the franchise receiving record vs. Detroit in week six. A short first quarter reception moved Driver past Sterling Sharpe on the team’s all-time reception list. Being at the game, it was especially cool as everyone – EVERYONE – stood up and went nuts in celebration of Driver’s achievement. (Highlight occurs 25 seconds into the clip)
5. Rodgers’ game-winning touchdown pass to Greg Jennings/Al Harris’ game-clinching interception of Jay Cutler vs. Chicago in week one. This moment is actually two moments rolled into one as you can’t really have one without the other. Rodgers and Jennings started it and Harris finished it as the Packers were off and running to start the 2009 season. Not a bad first Packers’ game, eh Nate? (Rodgers-to-Jennings touchdown occurs 4:05 into the clip and Harris interception occurs 4:29 into the clip)
4. Charles Woodson’s fumble-causing sack of Tony Romo vs. Dallas in week 10. Woodson was an absolute monster in this one (nine tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception), single-handedly willing Green Bay to a season-saving win, extra special since it came over the hated Cowboys. Stay tuned – this might not be Woodson’s last appearance on this list. (Highlight occurs 1:06 into the clip)
3. Jennings’ one-handed touchdown catch vs. Arizona in the wild card game. Trailing 31-10, Jennings makes a brilliant one-handed snag to cut Arizona’s lead to 31-16. Jennings was amazing in this game, proving he is an elite receiver worth every penny of his big-time extension, signed last summer. (Highlight occurs 31 seconds into the clip)
2. Clay Matthews’ strip of Adrian Peterson for a touchdown vs. Minnesota in week three. Yes, the moment occurred in a loss to Judas, but it was also the moment Matthews officially arrived as a Packer since you have to be pretty damn strong to rip the ball away from A.P. This kid is going to be something special for a very long time. (Highlight occurs 1:46 into the clip)
1. Woodson’s post-interception scream vs. Dallas in week 10. This is No. 1 on the list for so many reasons. First, it came right after Woodson clinched the win by picking Romo. Second, it showed all the doubters once and for all that Woodson, in fact, did love the game of football. Third, it showed the Packers weren’t dead after all. Just awesome all the way around. (Highlight occurs 16 seconds into the clip, but really you should just watch the whole thing)
Will next season’s list include a raising of the Lombardi Trophy at No. 1?
We can only hope.
-Chris Lempesis
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