Super Bowl XXXI
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:22:56 PM Wikipedia source
Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1996 season. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35–21 to win their twelfth championship in franchise history and first since Super Bowl II in 1968. It was also the last in a run of 13 straight Super Bowl victories by the NFC over the AFC. The game was played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This Super Bowl featured two clubs that had recently returned to competitiveness. After 24 mostly dismal seasons since Vince Lombardi left, the Packers' fortunes turned after head coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Brett Favre joined the team in 1992. After four losing seasons, the Patriots' rise began in 1993 when Bill Parcells was hired as head coach, and the team drafted quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Under their respective head coaches and quarterbacks, Green Bay posted an NFC-best 13–3 regular season record in 1996, while New England advanced to their second Super Bowl after recording an 11–5 record in what would be their first of ten Super Bowl appearances under owner Robert Kraft. The game began with the teams combining for 24 first-quarter points, the most in Super Bowl history. The Packers then scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, including Favre's then-Super Bowl record 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman. In the third quarter, the Patriots cut the lead to 27–21 due to running back Curtis Martin's 18-yard rushing touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff, Desmond Howard returned the ball a then-Super Bowl record 99 yards for a touchdown. The score proved to be the last one, as both teams' defenses took over the rest of the game. Howard became the first special teams player ever to be named Super Bowl MVP. He gained a total of 154 kickoff return yards, and also recorded a then-Super Bowl record 90 punt return yards, thus tying the then-Super Bowl records of total return yards (244) and combined net yards gained (244). This was the first Super Bowl broadcast by Fox under its first contract to carry NFL games. By a large margin it was the highest-rated program aired in Fox's history at the time.
Infobox
New England Patriots (2)(AFC)(11–5)
New England Patriots (2)(AFC)(11–5) Green Bay Packers (1)(NFC)(13–3) 21 35 Head coach:Bill Parcells Head coach:Mike Holmgren
Date
January 26, 1997 (1997-01-26)
Kickoff time
5:25 p.m. CST (UTC-6)
Stadium
Louisiana SuperdomeNew Orleans, Louisiana
MVP
Desmond Howard, return specialist
Favorite
Packers by 14
Referee
Gerald Austin
Attendance
72,301
National anthem
Luther Vandross
Coin toss
Past Super Bowl winning coaches: Hank Stram, Mike Ditka, Tom Flores, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, George Seifert
Halftime show
The Blues Brothers, James Brown, and ZZ Top
Network
Westwood One
Announcers
Howard David and Matt Millen
Nielsen ratings
43.3 (est. 87.87 million viewers)
Market share
65
Cost of 30-second commercial
$1.2 million
Tables
Patriots (AFC)
Patriots (AFC)
Quarter
Patriots (AFC)
mw- 1
14
2
0
3
7
4
0
Total
21
Packers (NFC)
Packers (NFC)
Quarter
Packers (NFC)
mw- 1
10
2
17
3
8
4
0
Total
35
| Quarter | mw- 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots (AFC) | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Packers (NFC) | 10 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 35 |
· Game summary › Box score
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
NE
GB
1
11:28
2
55
0:51
GB
Andre Rison 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre, Chris Jacke kick good
0
7
1
8:42
4
9
1:58
GB
37-yard field goal by Jacke
0
10
1
6:35
6
79
2:07
NE
Keith Byars 1-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri kick good
7
10
1
2:33
4
57
2:11
NE
Ben Coates 4-yard touchdown reception from Bledsoe, Vinatieri kick good
14
10
2
14:04
1
81
0:10
GB
Antonio Freeman 81-yard touchdown reception from Favre, Jacke kick good
14
17
2
8:15
8
33
2:58
GB
31-yard field goal by Jacke
14
20
2
1:11
9
74
5:59
GB
Favre 2-yard touchdown run, Jacke kick good
14
27
3
3:27
7
53
3:25
NE
Curtis Martin 18-yard touchdown run, Vinatieri kick good
21
27
3
3:10
—
—
—
GB
Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 2-point pass good (Favre to Mark Chmura)
21
35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
21
35
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
NE
GB
1
11:28
2
55
0:51
GB
Andre Rison 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre, Chris Jacke kick good
0
7
1
8:42
4
9
1:58
GB
37-yard field goal by Jacke
0
10
1
6:35
6
79
2:07
NE
Keith Byars 1-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri kick good
7
10
1
2:33
4
57
2:11
NE
Ben Coates 4-yard touchdown reception from Bledsoe, Vinatieri kick good
14
10
2
14:04
1
81
0:10
GB
Antonio Freeman 81-yard touchdown reception from Favre, Jacke kick good
14
17
2
8:15
8
33
2:58
GB
31-yard field goal by Jacke
14
20
2
1:11
9
74
5:59
GB
Favre 2-yard touchdown run, Jacke kick good
14
27
3
3:27
7
53
3:25
NE
Curtis Martin 18-yard touchdown run, Vinatieri kick good
21
27
3
3:10
—
—
—
GB
Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 2-point pass good (Favre to Mark Chmura)
21
35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
21
35
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
NE
GB
1
11:28
2
55
0:51
GB
Andre Rison 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre, Chris Jacke kick good
0
7
1
8:42
4
9
1:58
GB
37-yard field goal by Jacke
0
10
1
6:35
6
79
2:07
NE
Keith Byars 1-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri kick good
7
10
1
2:33
4
57
2:11
NE
Ben Coates 4-yard touchdown reception from Bledsoe, Vinatieri kick good
14
10
2
14:04
1
81
0:10
GB
Antonio Freeman 81-yard touchdown reception from Favre, Jacke kick good
14
17
2
8:15
8
33
2:58
GB
31-yard field goal by Jacke
14
20
2
1:11
9
74
5:59
GB
Favre 2-yard touchdown run, Jacke kick good
14
27
3
3:27
7
53
3:25
NE
Curtis Martin 18-yard touchdown run, Vinatieri kick good
21
27
3
3:10
—
—
—
GB
Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 2-point pass good (Favre to Mark Chmura)
21
35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
21
35
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NE GB 1 11:28 2 55 0:51 GB Andre Rison 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre, Chris Jacke kick good 0 7 1 8:42 4 9 1:58 GB 37-yard field goal by Jacke 0 10 1 6:35 6 79 2:07 NE Keith Byars 1-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri kick good 7 10 1 2:33 4 57 2:11 NE Ben Coates 4-yard touchdown reception from Bledsoe, Vinatieri kick good 14 10 2 14:04 1 81 0:10 GB Antonio Freeman 81-yard touchdown reception from Favre, Jacke kick good 14 17 2 8:15 8 33 2:58 GB 31-yard field goal by Jacke 14 20 2 1:11 9 74 5:59 GB Favre 2-yard touchdown run, Jacke kick good 14 27 3 3:27 7 53 3:25 NE Curtis Martin 18-yard touchdown run, Vinatieri kick good 21 27 3 3:10 — — — GB Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 2-point pass good (Favre to Mark Chmura) 21 35 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 21 35
|
Plays
Plays
Quarter
Plays
Time
Yards
Drive
TOP
Drive
NE
Drive
GB
1
1
Quarter
1
Time
11:28
Drive
2
Drive
55
Drive
0:51
Team
GB
Scoring information
Andre Rison 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre, Chris Jacke kick good
Score
0
Score
7
1
1
Quarter
1
Time
8:42
Drive
4
Drive
9
Drive
1:58
Team
GB
Scoring information
37-yard field goal by Jacke
Score
0
Score
10
1
1
Quarter
1
Time
6:35
Drive
6
Drive
79
Drive
2:07
Team
NE
Scoring information
Keith Byars 1-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri kick good
Score
7
Score
10
1
1
Quarter
1
Time
2:33
Drive
4
Drive
57
Drive
2:11
Team
NE
Scoring information
Ben Coates 4-yard touchdown reception from Bledsoe, Vinatieri kick good
Score
14
Score
10
2
2
Quarter
2
Time
14:04
Drive
1
Drive
81
Drive
0:10
Team
GB
Scoring information
Antonio Freeman 81-yard touchdown reception from Favre, Jacke kick good
Score
14
Score
17
2
2
Quarter
2
Time
8:15
Drive
8
Drive
33
Drive
2:58
Team
GB
Scoring information
31-yard field goal by Jacke
Score
14
Score
20
2
2
Quarter
2
Time
1:11
Drive
9
Drive
74
Drive
5:59
Team
GB
Scoring information
Favre 2-yard touchdown run, Jacke kick good
Score
14
Score
27
3
3
Quarter
3
Time
3:27
Drive
7
Drive
53
Drive
3:25
Team
NE
Scoring information
Curtis Martin 18-yard touchdown run, Vinatieri kick good
Score
21
Score
27
3
3
Quarter
3
Time
3:10
Drive
—
Drive
—
Drive
—
Team
GB
Scoring information
Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 2-point pass good (Favre to Mark Chmura)
Score
21
Score
35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
Quarter
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
Time
21
Drive
35
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | |||
| Plays | Yards | TOP | NE | GB | ||||
| 1 | 11:28 | 2 | 55 | 0:51 | GB | Andre Rison 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre, Chris Jacke kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 8:42 | 4 | 9 | 1:58 | GB | 37-yard field goal by Jacke | 0 | 10 |
| 1 | 6:35 | 6 | 79 | 2:07 | NE | Keith Byars 1-yard touchdown reception from Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri kick good | 7 | 10 |
| 1 | 2:33 | 4 | 57 | 2:11 | NE | Ben Coates 4-yard touchdown reception from Bledsoe, Vinatieri kick good | 14 | 10 |
| 2 | 14:04 | 1 | 81 | 0:10 | GB | Antonio Freeman 81-yard touchdown reception from Favre, Jacke kick good | 14 | 17 |
| 2 | 8:15 | 8 | 33 | 2:58 | GB | 31-yard field goal by Jacke | 14 | 20 |
| 2 | 1:11 | 9 | 74 | 5:59 | GB | Favre 2-yard touchdown run, Jacke kick good | 14 | 27 |
| 3 | 3:27 | 7 | 53 | 3:25 | NE | Curtis Martin 18-yard touchdown run, Vinatieri kick good | 21 | 27 |
| 3 | 3:10 | — | — | — | GB | Desmond Howard 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 2-point pass good (Favre to Mark Chmura) | 21 | 35 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 21 | 35 | ||||||
· Final statistics › Statistical comparison
First downs
First downs
Col 1
First downs
New England Patriots
16
Green Bay Packers
16
First downs rushing
First downs rushing
Col 1
First downs rushing
New England Patriots
3
Green Bay Packers
8
First downs passing
First downs passing
Col 1
First downs passing
New England Patriots
12
Green Bay Packers
6
First downs penalty
First downs penalty
Col 1
First downs penalty
New England Patriots
1
Green Bay Packers
2
Third down efficiency
Third down efficiency
Col 1
Third down efficiency
New England Patriots
4/14
Green Bay Packers
3/15
Fourth down efficiency
Fourth down efficiency
Col 1
Fourth down efficiency
New England Patriots
0/2
Green Bay Packers
0/1
Net yards rushing
Net yards rushing
Col 1
Net yards rushing
New England Patriots
43
Green Bay Packers
115
Rushing attempts
Rushing attempts
Col 1
Rushing attempts
New England Patriots
13
Green Bay Packers
36
Yards per rush
Yards per rush
Col 1
Yards per rush
New England Patriots
3.3
Green Bay Packers
3.2
Passing – Completions/attempts
Passing – Completions/attempts
Col 1
Passing – Completions/attempts
New England Patriots
25/48
Green Bay Packers
14/27
Times sacked-total yards
Times sacked-total yards
Col 1
Times sacked-total yards
New England Patriots
5–39
Green Bay Packers
5–38
Interceptions thrown
Interceptions thrown
Col 1
Interceptions thrown
New England Patriots
4
Green Bay Packers
0
Net yards passing
Net yards passing
Col 1
Net yards passing
New England Patriots
214
Green Bay Packers
208
Total net yards
Total net yards
Col 1
Total net yards
New England Patriots
257
Green Bay Packers
323
Punt returns-total yards
Punt returns-total yards
Col 1
Punt returns-total yards
New England Patriots
4–30
Green Bay Packers
6–90
Kickoff returns-total yards
Kickoff returns-total yards
Col 1
Kickoff returns-total yards
New England Patriots
6–135
Green Bay Packers
4–154
Interceptions-total return yards
Interceptions-total return yards
Col 1
Interceptions-total return yards
New England Patriots
0–0
Green Bay Packers
4–24
Punts-average yardage
Punts-average yardage
Col 1
Punts-average yardage
New England Patriots
8–45.1
Green Bay Packers
7–42.7
Fumbles-lost
Fumbles-lost
Col 1
Fumbles-lost
New England Patriots
0–0
Green Bay Packers
0–0
Penalties-total yards
Penalties-total yards
Col 1
Penalties-total yards
New England Patriots
2–22
Green Bay Packers
3–41
Time of possession
Time of possession
Col 1
Time of possession
New England Patriots
25:45
Green Bay Packers
34:15
Turnovers
Turnovers
Col 1
Turnovers
New England Patriots
4
Green Bay Packers
0
| New England Patriots | Green Bay Packers | |
| First downs | 16 | 16 |
| First downs rushing | 3 | 8 |
| First downs passing | 12 | 6 |
| First downs penalty | 1 | 2 |
| Third down efficiency | 4/14 | 3/15 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 0/2 | 0/1 |
| Net yards rushing | 43 | 115 |
| Rushing attempts | 13 | 36 |
| Yards per rush | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| Passing – Completions/attempts | 25/48 | 14/27 |
| Times sacked-total yards | 5–39 | 5–38 |
| Interceptions thrown | 4 | 0 |
| Net yards passing | 214 | 208 |
| Total net yards | 257 | 323 |
| Punt returns-total yards | 4–30 | 6–90 |
| Kickoff returns-total yards | 6–135 | 4–154 |
| Interceptions-total return yards | 0–0 | 4–24 |
| Punts-average yardage | 8–45.1 | 7–42.7 |
| Fumbles-lost | 0–0 | 0–0 |
| Penalties-total yards | 2–22 | 3–41 |
| Time of possession | 25:45 | 34:15 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Patriots passing
Drew Bledsoe
Patriots passing
25/48
Patriots passing
253
Patriots passing
2
Patriots passing
4
Patriots passing
46.6
Patriots rushing
Patriots rushing
Patriots passing
Patriots rushing
Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Patriots passing
Curtis Martin
Patriots passing
11
Patriots passing
42
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
18
Patriots passing
3.82
Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Patriots passing
Drew Bledsoe
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
1.00
Dave Meggett
Dave Meggett
Patriots passing
Dave Meggett
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
0.00
Patriots receiving
Patriots receiving
Patriots passing
Patriots receiving
Ben Coates
Ben Coates
Patriots passing
Ben Coates
Patriots passing
6
Patriots passing
67
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
19
Patriots passing
8
Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
Patriots passing
Terry Glenn
Patriots passing
4
Patriots passing
62
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
44
Patriots passing
7
Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Patriots passing
Keith Byars
Patriots passing
4
Patriots passing
42
Patriots passing
1
Patriots passing
32
Patriots passing
7
Shawn Jefferson
Shawn Jefferson
Patriots passing
Shawn Jefferson
Patriots passing
3
Patriots passing
34
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
14
Patriots passing
8
Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Patriots passing
Curtis Martin
Patriots passing
3
Patriots passing
28
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
20
Patriots passing
5
Dave Meggett
Dave Meggett
Patriots passing
Dave Meggett
Patriots passing
3
Patriots passing
8
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
5
Patriots passing
6
Vincent Brisby
Vincent Brisby
Patriots passing
Vincent Brisby
Patriots passing
2
Patriots passing
12
Patriots passing
0
Patriots passing
7
Patriots passing
4
| Patriots passing | |||||
| C/ATT1 | Yds | TD | INT | Rating | |
| Drew Bledsoe | 25/48 | 253 | 2 | 4 | 46.6 |
| Patriots rushing | |||||
| Car2 | Yds | TD | LG3 | Yds/Car | |
| Curtis Martin | 11 | 42 | 1 | 18 | 3.82 |
| Drew Bledsoe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.00 |
| Dave Meggett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Patriots receiving | |||||
| Rec4 | Yds | TD | LG3 | Target5 | |
| Ben Coates | 6 | 67 | 1 | 19 | 8 |
| Terry Glenn | 4 | 62 | 0 | 44 | 7 |
| Keith Byars | 4 | 42 | 1 | 32 | 7 |
| Shawn Jefferson | 3 | 34 | 0 | 14 | 8 |
| Curtis Martin | 3 | 28 | 0 | 20 | 5 |
| Dave Meggett | 3 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Vincent Brisby | 2 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 4 |
Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Packers passing
Brett Favre
Packers passing
14/27
Packers passing
246
Packers passing
2
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
107.9
Packers rushing
Packers rushing
Packers passing
Packers rushing
Dorsey Levens
Dorsey Levens
Packers passing
Dorsey Levens
Packers passing
14
Packers passing
61
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
12
Packers passing
4.36
Edgar Bennett
Edgar Bennett
Packers passing
Edgar Bennett
Packers passing
17
Packers passing
40
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
10
Packers passing
2.35
Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Packers passing
Brett Favre
Packers passing
4
Packers passing
12
Packers passing
1
Packers passing
12
Packers passing
3.00
William Henderson
William Henderson
Packers passing
William Henderson
Packers passing
1
Packers passing
2
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
2
Packers passing
2.00
Packers receiving
Packers receiving
Packers passing
Packers receiving
Antonio Freeman
Antonio Freeman
Packers passing
Antonio Freeman
Packers passing
3
Packers passing
105
Packers passing
1
Packers passing
81
Packers passing
6
Dorsey Levens
Dorsey Levens
Packers passing
Dorsey Levens
Packers passing
3
Packers passing
23
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
14
Packers passing
5
Andre Rison
Andre Rison
Packers passing
Andre Rison
Packers passing
2
Packers passing
77
Packers passing
1
Packers passing
54
Packers passing
7
William Henderson
William Henderson
Packers passing
William Henderson
Packers passing
2
Packers passing
14
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
8
Packers passing
2
Mark Chmura
Mark Chmura
Packers passing
Mark Chmura
Packers passing
2
Packers passing
13
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
8
Packers passing
3
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Packers passing
Keith Jackson
Packers passing
1
Packers passing
10
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
10
Packers passing
2
Edgar Bennett
Edgar Bennett
Packers passing
Edgar Bennett
Packers passing
1
Packers passing
4
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
4
Packers passing
1
Terry Mickens
Terry Mickens
Packers passing
Terry Mickens
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
0
Packers passing
1
| Packers passing | |||||
| C/ATT1 | Yds | TD | INT | Rating | |
| Brett Favre | 14/27 | 246 | 2 | 0 | 107.9 |
| Packers rushing | |||||
| Car2 | Yds | TD | LG3 | Yds/Car | |
| Dorsey Levens | 14 | 61 | 0 | 12 | 4.36 |
| Edgar Bennett | 17 | 40 | 0 | 10 | 2.35 |
| Brett Favre | 4 | 12 | 1 | 12 | 3.00 |
| William Henderson | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2.00 |
| Packers receiving | |||||
| Rec4 | Yds | TD | LG3 | Target5 | |
| Antonio Freeman | 3 | 105 | 1 | 81 | 6 |
| Dorsey Levens | 3 | 23 | 0 | 14 | 5 |
| Andre Rison | 2 | 77 | 1 | 54 | 7 |
| William Henderson | 2 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Mark Chmura | 2 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| Keith Jackson | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| Edgar Bennett | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Terry Mickens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
· Final statistics › Records set
Longest pass
Longest pass
Player Records Set
Longest pass
Player Records Set
81 yards (TD)
Player Records Set
Brett Favre(Green Bay)
Longest reception
Longest reception
Player Records Set
Longest reception
Player Records Set
81 yards (TD)
Player Records Set
Antonio Freeman(Green Bay)
Longest scoring play
Longest scoring play
Player Records Set
Longest scoring play
Player Records Set
99 yards kickoff return
Player Records Set
Desmond Howard(Green Bay)
Longest kickoff return
Longest kickoff return
Player Records Set
Longest kickoff return
Player Records Set
99 yards
Highest kickoff return average, career (4 returns)
Highest kickoff return average, career (4 returns)
Player Records Set
Highest kickoff return average, career (4 returns)
Player Records Set
38.5 yards (4–154)
Most punt return yards gained, game
Most punt return yards gained, game
Player Records Set
Most punt return yards gained, game
Player Records Set
90 yards
Records Tied
Records Tied
Player Records Set
Records Tied
Most combined yardage† gained, game
Most combined yardage† gained, game
Player Records Set
Most combined yardage† gained, game
Player Records Set
244
Player Records Set
Desmond Howard(Green Bay)
Most kickoff returns for touchdowns, game
Most kickoff returns for touchdowns, game
Player Records Set
Most kickoff returns for touchdowns, game
Player Records Set
1
Most punt returns, game
Most punt returns, game
Player Records Set
Most punt returns, game
Player Records Set
6
Most punt returns, career
Most punt returns, career
Player Records Set
Most punt returns, career
Player Records Set
6
6
6
Player Records Set
6
Player Records Set
David Meggett(New England)
Most interceptions thrown, game
Most interceptions thrown, game
Player Records Set
Most interceptions thrown, game
Player Records Set
4
Player Records Set
Drew Bledsoe(New England)
Most 2 point conversions, game
Most 2 point conversions, game
Player Records Set
Most 2 point conversions, game
Player Records Set
1
Player Records Set
Mark Chmura(Green Bay)
| Player Records Set | ||
| Longest pass | 81 yards (TD) | Brett Favre(Green Bay) |
| Longest reception | 81 yards (TD) | Antonio Freeman(Green Bay) |
| Longest scoring play | 99 yards kickoff return | Desmond Howard(Green Bay) |
| Longest kickoff return | 99 yards | |
| Highest kickoff return average, career (4 returns) | yards (4–154) | |
| Most punt return yards gained, game | 90 yards | |
| Records Tied | ||
| Most combined yardage† gained, game | 244 | Desmond Howard(Green Bay) |
| Most kickoff returns for touchdowns, game | 1 | |
| Most punt returns, game | 6 | |
| Most punt returns, career | 6 | |
| 6 | David Meggett(New England) | |
| Most interceptions thrown, game | 4 | Drew Bledsoe(New England) |
| Most 2 point conversions, game | 1 | Mark Chmura(Green Bay) |
Most punt returns yards gained
Most punt returns yards gained
Team Records Set
Most punt returns yards gained
Team Records Set
90 yards
Team Records Set
Packers
Records Tied
Records Tied
Team Records Set
Records Tied
Most points, first quarter
Most points, first quarter
Team Records Set
Most points, first quarter
Team Records Set
14 points
Team Records Set
Patriots
Most Interceptions by
Most Interceptions by
Team Records Set
Most Interceptions by
Team Records Set
4
Team Records Set
Packers
Fewest turnovers, game
Fewest turnovers, game
Team Records Set
Fewest turnovers, game
Team Records Set
0
Most kickoff returns for touchdowns
Most kickoff returns for touchdowns
Team Records Set
Most kickoff returns for touchdowns
Team Records Set
1
Most punt returns, game
Most punt returns, game
Team Records Set
Most punt returns, game
Team Records Set
6
| Team Records Set | ||
| Most punt returns yards gained | 90 yards | Packers |
| Records Tied | ||
| Most points, first quarter | 14 points | Patriots |
| Most Interceptions by | 4 | Packers |
| Fewest turnovers, game | 0 | |
| Most kickoff returns for touchdowns | 1 | |
| Most punt returns, game | 6 | |
Most points, first quarter
Most points, first quarter
Records Set, both team totals
Most points, first quarter
Records Set, both team totals
24 points
Records Set, both team totals
10
Records Set, both team totals
14
Most punt returns, game
Most punt returns, game
Records Set, both team totals
Most punt returns, game
Records Set, both team totals
10
Records Set, both team totals
6
Records Set, both team totals
4
Most punt return yards gained
Most punt return yards gained
Records Set, both team totals
Most punt return yards gained
Records Set, both team totals
120 yards
Records Set, both team totals
90
Records Set, both team totals
30
Records tied, both team totals
Records tied, both team totals
Records Set, both team totals
Records tied, both team totals
Fewest rushing attempts
Fewest rushing attempts
Records Set, both team totals
Fewest rushing attempts
Records Set, both team totals
49
Records Set, both team totals
36
Records Set, both team totals
13
Most times sacked
Most times sacked
Records Set, both team totals
Most times sacked
Records Set, both team totals
10
Records Set, both team totals
5
Records Set, both team totals
5
Fewest fumbles
Fewest fumbles
Records Set, both team totals
Fewest fumbles
Records Set, both team totals
0
Records Set, both team totals
0
Records Set, both team totals
0
| Records Set, both team totals | |||
| 00Total00 | Packers | Patriots | |
| Most points, first quarter | 24 points | 10 | 14 |
| Most punt returns, game | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Most punt return yards gained | 120 yards | 90 | 30 |
| Records tied, both team totals | |||
| Fewest rushing attempts | 49 | 36 | 13 |
| Most times sacked | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Fewest fumbles | 0 | 0 | 0 |
· Starting lineups
Offense
Offense
New England
Offense
Shawn Jefferson
Shawn Jefferson
New England
Shawn Jefferson
Position
WR
Position
Antonio Freeman
Bruce Armstrong
Bruce Armstrong
New England
Bruce Armstrong
Position
LT
Position
Bruce Wilkerson
William Roberts
William Roberts
New England
William Roberts
Position
LG
Position
Aaron Taylor
Dave Wohlabaugh
Dave Wohlabaugh
New England
Dave Wohlabaugh
Position
C
Position
Frank Winters
Todd Rucci
Todd Rucci
New England
Todd Rucci
Position
RG
Position
Adam Timmerman
Max Lane
Max Lane
New England
Max Lane
Position
RT
Position
Earl Dotson
Ben Coates
Ben Coates
New England
Ben Coates
Position
TE
Position
Mark Chmura
Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
New England
Terry Glenn
Position
WR
Position
Andre Rison
Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
New England
Drew Bledsoe
Position
QB
Position
Brett Favre‡
Curtis Martin‡
Curtis Martin‡
New England
Curtis Martin‡
Position
RB
Position
Edgar Bennett
Keith Byars
Keith Byars
New England
Keith Byars
Position
FB
Position
William Henderson
Defense
Defense
New England
Defense
Ferric Collons
Ferric Collons
New England
Ferric Collons
Position
LE
Position
Reggie White‡
Mark Wheeler
Mark Wheeler
New England
Mark Wheeler
Position
LT
Position
DT
Green Bay
Santana Dotson
Pio Sagapolutele
Pio Sagapolutele
New England
Pio Sagapolutele
Position
RT
Position
NT
Green Bay
Gilbert Brown
Willie McGinest
Willie McGinest
New England
Willie McGinest
Position
RE
Position
Sean Jones
Chris Slade
Chris Slade
New England
Chris Slade
Position
LLB
Position
Wayne Simmons
Ted Johnson
Ted Johnson
New England
Ted Johnson
Position
MLB
Position
Ron Cox
Todd Collins
Todd Collins
New England
Todd Collins
Position
RLB
Position
Brian Williams
Ty Law‡
Ty Law‡
New England
Ty Law‡
Position
LCB
Position
Craig Newsome
Otis Smith
Otis Smith
New England
Otis Smith
Position
RCB
Position
Doug Evans
Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Milloy
New England
Lawyer Milloy
Position
SS
Position
LeRoy Butler‡
Willie Clay
Willie Clay
New England
Willie Clay
Position
FS
Position
Eugene Robinson
| New England | Position | Position | Green Bay |
| Offense | |||
| Shawn Jefferson | WR | Antonio Freeman | |
| Bruce Armstrong | LT | Bruce Wilkerson | |
| William Roberts | LG | Aaron Taylor | |
| Dave Wohlabaugh | C | Frank Winters | |
| Todd Rucci | RG | Adam Timmerman | |
| Max Lane | RT | Earl Dotson | |
| Ben Coates | TE | Mark Chmura | |
| Terry Glenn | WR | Andre Rison | |
| Drew Bledsoe | QB | Brett Favre‡ | |
| Curtis Martin‡ | RB | Edgar Bennett | |
| Keith Byars | FB | William Henderson | |
| Defense | |||
| Ferric Collons | LE | Reggie White‡ | |
| Mark Wheeler | LT | DT | Santana Dotson |
| Pio Sagapolutele | RT | NT | Gilbert Brown |
| Willie McGinest | RE | Sean Jones | |
| Chris Slade | LLB | Wayne Simmons | |
| Ted Johnson | MLB | Ron Cox | |
| Todd Collins | RLB | Brian Williams | |
| Ty Law‡ | LCB | Craig Newsome | |
| Otis Smith | RCB | Doug Evans | |
| Lawyer Milloy | SS | LeRoy Butler‡ | |
| Willie Clay | FS | Eugene Robinson | |
References
- Sporting Newshttps://web.archive.org/web/20150204100054/http://linemakers.sportingnews.com/nfl/2015-01-25/super-bowl-betting-history-patriots-vs-seahawks-point-spread-line-vegas-odds
- "Super Bowl History"http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/superbowl/history/
- NFL.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20150204103549/http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/results/superbowl
- "Historical Super Bowl Nielsen TV Ratings, 1967–2009 – Ratings"https://web.archive.org/web/20100208213536/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/01/18/historical-super-bowl-tv-ratings/11044
- The Tampa Tribunehttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/144252986/
- The Tampa Tribunehttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/144253099/
- The Tampa Tribunehttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/144253635/
- The Tampa Tribunehttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/144253688/
- Patriots Reign
- Pro Football Referencehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1996.htm
- Pro Football Referencehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/playoffs.htm
- Pro Football Referencehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701050nwe.htm
- Pro Football Referencehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701120nwe.htm
- Pro Football Referencehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701040gnb.htm
- Pro Football Referencehttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701120gnb.htm
- The Baltimore Sunhttps://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/11/24/in-rison-packers-run-desperate-pattern/
- CNNhttps://web.archive.org/web/20030217051731/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/features/superbowl/archives/31/
- "Super Bowl Game-Time Temperatures"http://www.profootballhof.com/news/super-bowl-game-time-temperatures/
- NFL.comhttp://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/boxscore/sbxxxi
- "2016 NFL Factbook"https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030504/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf
- "Super Bowl XXXI statistics"https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701260gnb.htm
- NFL.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180504102907/http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/records/superbowls/player/combined
- "Super Bowl XXXI–National Football League Game Summary"http://www.nflgsis.com/1996/Post/04/17669/Gamebook.pdf
- Neft, David S., Cohen, Richard M., and Korch, Rick. The Complete History of Professional Football from 1892 to the Prese