Super Bowl XXXI
The final score of 35-21 crowned the Packers champions in a game defined by record-breaking returns and historic first-quarter scoring.
Super Bowl XXXI featured the Green Bay Packers defeating the New England Patriots 35–21 to claim their third Super Bowl title and twelfth NFL championship in franchise history. Played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, this matchup decided the champion for the 1996 season between the NFC champion Packers and AFC champion Patriots. It marked the last victory in a streak of 13 straight Super Bowl wins by the NFC over the AFC. Both teams were returning to competitiveness: Green Bay had turned around after 24 mostly dismal seasons since Vince Lombardi left, while New England began its rise under Bill Parcells and Drew Bledsoe after four losing seasons.
- Date
- January 26, 1997
- Location
- Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Opponent
- New England Patriots
- Final Score
- Green Bay 35, New England 21
- MVP
- Desmond Howard (Special Teams)
- Key Packers Player
- Brett Favre (QB)
- Season Record
- 13-3
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The game began explosively, with the teams combining for 24 first-quarter points, the most ever recorded in Super Bowl history. Green Bay then pulled away, scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, highlighted by Brett Favre throwing a then-Super Bowl record 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman. The Patriots fought back in the third quarter when running back Curtis Martin scored on an 18-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 27–21. However, on the ensuing kickoff, Desmond Howard returned the ball a then-Super Bowl record 99 yards for a touchdown. This score proved decisive as both defenses took over the remainder of the game.
In Their Own Story
Desmond Howard became the first special teams player ever named Super Bowl MVP after his historic performance. He gained a total of 154 kickoff return yards and recorded a then-Super Bowl record 90 punt return yards, tying the records for both total return yards (244) and combined net yards gained (244). The Packers' resurgence was led by head coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Brett Favre, who joined in 1992 after years of struggle. Green Bay finished the regular season with an NFC-best 13–3 record. Meanwhile, New England advanced to their second Super Bowl with an 11–5 record under Bill Parcells, marking the first of eleven appearances for owner Robert Kraft. The game was also notable as the first Super Bowl broadcast by Fox under its new NFL contract, becoming the highest-rated program in the network's history at that time.
Reader's Guide
Host selection occurred on October 26, 1993, when NFL owners voted to award Super Bowl XXXI to New Orleans during a meeting in Chicago. This was the eighth time New Orleans hosted and the fifth for the Superdome. Four cities bid: New Orleans, San Diego, Los Angeles/Pasadena, and Tampa. Rules required a three-fourths vote (21 of 28 owners) to win. After Tampa was eliminated, New Orleans defeated San Diego in the final voting round for XXXI, while San Diego secured XXXII. The bidding process was unique as it was the first time multiple hosts were selected simultaneously since Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV in 1985.
Did You Know?
- The first quarter saw a record 24 combined points, the most in Super Bowl history.
- Desmond Howard was the first special teams player to ever win Super Bowl MVP.
- This game ended a run of 13 consecutive Super Bowl victories by NFC teams over AFC teams.
- It was the first Super Bowl broadcast by Fox under its initial NFL contract.
- The Packers' victory marked their twelfth NFL championship and first since Super Bowl II in 1968.
More in Iconic Matches & Games
Elsewhere in the Atlanta Falcons universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record