What Is 2016 Green Bay Packers season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Green Bay Packers finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, won the NFC North, and advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost 36-20 to the Atlanta Falcons on January 22, 2017. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led a resilient offense despite numerous injuries across the roster.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 10-6 record
Won the NFC North division title
Defeated the New York Giants 38-13 in the Divisional Round
Lost to the Atlanta Falcons 36-20 in the NFC Championship Game
Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,428 yards and 40 touchdowns

Overview

The 2016 Green Bay Packers season marked a resilient campaign under head coach Mike McCarthy, culminating in a trip to the NFC Championship Game. Despite a 4-6 start, the team won six consecutive games to finish 10-6 and claim the NFC North title.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivered one of his best statistical seasons, throwing for 4,428 yards and a career-high 40 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. The Packers overcame significant injuries, including losing key players like Jordy Nelson early in the season, yet still advanced deep into the playoffs.

Regular season record: The Packers finished 10-6, including a 6-0 finish to close the season, the best such streak to end a year since 1970.
Division title: They won the NFC North by one game over the Minnesota Vikings, securing a playoff berth as division champions.
Playoff run: Green Bay defeated the New York Giants 38-13 in the Divisional Round at Lambeau Field.
NFC Championship: They lost 36-20 to the Atlanta Falcons on January 22, 2017, ending their Super Bowl hopes.
Aaron Rodgers' performance: Rodgers achieved a 112.5 passer rating, the third-highest in NFL history at the time, behind only Steve Young and Peyton Manning.

How It Works

The 2016 Packers season exemplified how a team can overcome adversity through elite quarterback play and strategic coaching. Despite losing key offensive weapons, the team adapted with strong performances from backups and tight end Jared Cook.

Quarterback resilience:Aaron Rodgers missed only one game due to injury and led the league in touchdown passes despite a depleted receiving corps.
Running game:Eddie Lacy and James Starks combined for just 812 rushing yards, the lowest by a playoff team in over a decade.
Defensive turnaround: The defense improved in the second half of the season, allowing only 16.3 points per game over the final six weeks.
Coaching adjustments: Mike McCarthy shifted to more no-huddle and screen plays to protect Rodgers and exploit defensive weaknesses.
Special teams: Kicker Mason Crosby made 32 of 35 field goals, including a 56-yarder in the playoffs, ranking among the league’s most accurate.
Home-field advantage: The Packers went 8-0 at Lambeau Field, their first perfect home record since 2011.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Packers compare to other top NFC teams from that postseason:

Team	Regular Season Record	Playoff Result	Points Per Game	Key Player
Green Bay Packers	10-6	NFC Championship	27.6	Aaron Rodgers
Atlanta Falcons	11-5	NFC Champions	33.8	Matt Ryan
Dallas Cowboys	13-3	Divisional Round	30.4	Ezekiel Elliott
Seattle Seahawks	10-5-1	Wild Card Round	27.2	Russell Wilson
New York Giants	11-5	Divisional Round	27.0	Odell Beckham Jr.

The 2016 Packers ranked second in points per game among NFC playoff teams, trailing only the high-powered Falcons. Their playoff run demonstrated how sustained offensive excellence, led by Rodgers, could compensate for defensive limitations and depth issues. Ultimately, their loss to Atlanta exposed vulnerabilities in pass coverage and red-zone defense, which had plagued them throughout the year.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season remains a pivotal chapter in Packers history, illustrating both the brilliance of Aaron Rodgers and the consequences of organizational injury mismanagement. It also highlighted the team’s reliance on its quarterback to overcome systemic weaknesses.

Legacy of resilience: The 6-0 finish after a 4-6 start is one of the most impressive turnarounds in modern NFL history.
Rodgers' peak performance: His 40-touchdown season solidified his status as an MVP-caliber quarterback, even without league honors that year.
Injury impact: Losing Jordy Nelson in the preseason forced Green Bay to rely on unproven receivers, reshaping offensive strategy.
Coaching scrutiny: McCarthy faced criticism for play-calling conservatism in the NFC Championship, especially in the second half.
Front office decisions: The season underscored the need for improved depth, influencing future draft and free agency priorities.
Fan engagement: The dramatic playoff run energized the fanbase, leading to record ticket demand for the following season.

The 2016 Green Bay Packers season exemplifies how elite quarterback play can carry a team through adversity, even if it ultimately falls short of a championship. It remains a benchmark for resilience and offensive firepower in franchise history.