By Zane Miller
On Sunday, January 26th, 1997, the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI to win the 77th championship in NFL history. It was the 12th championship for the Packers franchise as Packers kick returner Desmond Howard won the Super Bowl MVP Award, the only time a special teams player has earned the award. The game was held at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Packers quarterback Brett Favre won his second MVP Award with 39 passing touchdowns and 3,899 passing yards, while Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith also won his second Defensive Player of the Year Award with 13 and a half sacks and five forced fumbles.
Out of Playoffs: Kansas City Chiefs (9-7), Washington Redskins (9-7), Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Houston Oilers (8-8), San Diego Chargers (8-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8), Chicago Bears (7-9), Arizona Cardinals (7-9), Oakland Raiders (7-9), Seattle Seahawks (7-9), St. Louis Rams (6-10), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10), New York Giants (6-10), Detroit Lions (5-11), Baltimore Ravens (4-12), New Orleans Saints (3-13), Atlanta Falcons (3-13), New York Jets (1-15)
Out in first round: Buffalo Bills (L 30-27 to Jaguars), Philadelphia Eagles (L 14-0 to 49ers), Minnesota Vikings (L 40-15 to Cowboys), Indianapolis Colts (L 42-14 to Steelers)
Out in second round: Denver Broncos (L 30-27 to Jaguars), Dallas Cowboys (L 26-17 to Panthers), Pittsburgh Steelers (L 28-3 to Patriots), San Francisco 49ers (L 35-14 to Packers)
Out in third round: Carolina Panthers (L 30-13 to Packers), Jacksonville Jaguars (L 20-6 to Patriots)
Most passing touchdowns: #4 Brett Favre (Packers)- 39 TD
Most rushing touchdowns: #21 Terry Allen (Redskins)- 21 TD
Most receiving touchdowns: #81 Michael Jackson (Ravens)- 14 TD & 1,201 yds
Most sacks: #91 Kevin Greene (Panthers)- 14.5 sacks
Most forced fumbles: #90 Tony Brackens (Jaguars)- 5 FF & 3 fumble recoveries
Most interceptions: #34 Tyrone Braxton (Broncos)- 9 INT & 1 TD
Best field goal percentage (min. 12 attempts): #14 Cary Blanchard (Colts)- 36 for 40, 90%
Scoring Summary
Link to stats database: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/
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