*In the interest of re-living some of the great moments from a memorable 2007 season, Packers.com has compiled a series of "Favorite Fives," various Top 5 lists of big plays from the regular season and playoffs.
Each list will be accompanied by a brief description of the context, plus video clips of the plays. The Packers Fan Poll on the left side of the page will allow fans to vote for their favorite. A new "Favorite Five" will appear each week for the next several weeks, with a new corresponding poll.
After all the lists have appeared, votes will be tabulated to compile a final "Favorite Five," and Packers.com visitors can then vote for their favorite play of the year for 2007.*
The fifth installment is the Top 5 defensive plays. In chronological order, they are:
Nick Barnett, INT and 38-yard return, vs. San Diego (Sept. 23)
The Packers had just taken a 24-21 lead late in the fourth quarter and needed to hold off the Chargers in the final two minutes. On third-and-10 from the San Diego 32, Barnett stepped in front of running back LaDainian Tomlinson and intercepted Philip Rivers' pass, returning it 38 yards down the left sideline and nearly scoring. Two plays later, Brandon Jackson ran it in from a yard out and the victory was sealed.
Atari Bigby, deflected INT, at Minnesota (Sept. 30)
With Green Bay leading 23-16 and under two minutes to go, a fumbled exchange between Brett Favre and Ryan Grant gave the Vikings the ball at midfield and a prime opportunity to tie the game. After a 15-yard pass and a defensive penalty moved Minnesota to the Green Bay 34-yard line, Kelly Holcomb tried to squeeze a pass in to Bobby Wade, who was tightly covered by Charles Woodson. The ball deflected off the two players and into the diving arms of Bigby at the 24-yard line with 1:06 left. A booth review upheld the interception and, despite protestations by the Vikings for an interference call on Woodson, the victory was assured.
Charles Woodson, 57-yard fumble return for TD, vs. Washington (Oct. 14)
On a day the offense struggled, the Packers got several big plays from the defense, none bigger than this one. With Washington leading 14-10 late in the third quarter, the Redskins tried a reverse to wideout Santana Moss. Corey Williams, playing defensive end and reading the play well, reached out and stripped the ball from Moss and Woodson pounced on it. With the help of a big block by Justin Harrell on Jason Fabini and some interference from Al Harris on quarterback Jason Campbell downfield, Woodson took it the distance for what turned out to be the winning score in a 17-14 victory.
Woodson, 46-yard INT return for TD, at Kansas City (Nov. 4)
Moments after the Packers had extended a one-point lead to four on a Mason Crosby field goal, Kansas City was nearing midfield when Woodson sealed the win. On third-and-2, Woodson stepped in front of Samie Parker to intercept Damon Huard's pass. Johnny Jolly threw a big block on Priest Holmes to help spring Woodson on the return. The touchdown, with 59 seconds left, provided the final points in a 33-22 win.
Bigby, hit and forced fumble, vs. Seattle in NFC Divisional playoff (Jan. 12)
The Packers had already recovered from an early 14-0 deficit to the Seahawks to tie the score at 14 when this turnover kept the momentum on Green Bay's side. Matt Hasselbeck threw a short pass in the flat to tight end Marcus Pollard, and before Pollard got his head and body squared around to get upfield, Bigby drilled him and popped the ball loose. Aaron Kampman recovered for the Packers at the Seattle 18-yard line, and three plays later the offense was in the end zone again for a 21-14 lead. The Packers never trailed again in winning 42-20 and advancing to the NFC Championship.
So there you have it, another "Favorite Five," with more to come. Don't forget to watch the video of all five plays, and to vote in the fan poll on the left side of the page.
Last week's results
In the voting for Top Pass Plays On The Road, Greg Jennings' dramatic, game-winning 82-yard overtime TD in Denver led the way, hauling in 70 percent of more than 43,000 votes. Brett Favre's historic 421st TD pass to Greg Jennings came in a distant second with 12 percent of the votes, James Jones' 79-yard TD in Denver received 10 percent of the vote, followed by Donald Driver's one-handed catch in Kansas City at 4 percent, and Jennings' 60-yard TD in Kansas City at 2 percent.
