1989 Green Bay Packers season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1989 Green Bay Packers season resulted in a 10-6 record, the Packers best record since 1972. The team was often referred to as the "Cardiac Pack" because of several close games wins. The team was coached by Lindy Infante and led by quarterback Don Majkowski, who gained his nickname "The Majik Man" that year. The Packers failed to make the playoffs.

[edit] Offseason

The Green Bay Packers selected Tony Mandarich with their first pick of the 1989 NFL Draft, passing on prospects such as Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders. Mandarich was a first-team All-American, an Outland Award finalist and a two-time Big Ten Lineman of the Year. Mandarich would later hold out most of the preseason, playing most of the regular season on special teams. Four years after signing Mandarich, the Packers cut him. ESPN rated Mandarich as the third biggest sports flop in the past 25 years.^[1]

[edit] Regular season

Although the Packers failed to make the Playoffs, they recorded their best record since 1972. The Packers finished 10-6, placing them second in the NFC Central. The Minnesota Vikings also finished 10-6, but held the tiebreaker due to a better conference record. The Packers offense had success due to a strong passing game, headed by quarterback Don Majkowski. Majkowski finished first in the NFL in passing yards and completions. He earned a bid to the NFL Pro Bowl. Wide receiver Sterling Sharpe finished the season first in receptions, and second in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Sharpe would also earn a bid to the Pro Bowl.^[2]

[edit] Schedule

[edit] Season Standings

[edit] Roster

[edit] The instant replay game

On November 5, 1989, the Packers beat the Bears 14-13, but not without controversy. Don Majkowski led the Packers to a comeback and a game-winning touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe with only seconds left to play. Initially the play was called a touchdown, but line judge Jim Quirk had called a penalty on Majkowski for being beyond the line of scrimmage when he threw the pass. With a nervous and tense crowd at Lambeau Field, the call went up to the instant replay official, Bill Parkinson. Several minutes later the call came down and the touchdown was incorrectly awarded as recorded by instant replay. The Lambeau faithful and Packer players erupted with joy because it marked the first time since 1984 that the Packers had beaten their long-time rivals. The Packers would later beat the Bears again in the season.^[3]

[edit] Season statistical leaders

• Passing Yards: Don Majkowski 4,318 yards
• Passing Touchdowns: Don Majkowski 27 TDs
• Rushing Yards: Brent Fullwood, 821 yards
• Rushing Touchdowns: Brent Fullwood, 5 TDs
• Receiving Yards: Sterling Sharpe, 1,423 yards
• Receiving Touchdowns: Sterling Sharpe, 12 TDs
• Points: Chris Jacke, 108 points
• Kickoff Return Yards: Vince Workman, 547 yards
• Punt Return Yards: Jeff Query, 247 yards
• Sacks: Tim Harris, 19.5 sacks
• Interceptions: Dave Brown, 6 interceptions^[4]

[edit] Awards and Records

• Lindy Infante, National Football League Coach of the Year Award
• Don Majkowski, NFC Pro Bowl Selection
• Sterling Sharpe, NFL Leader in Receptions (90)
• Sterling Sharpe, Second in NFL in Receiving Yards (1,423)

[edit] Milestones

• Don Majkowski, First 4,000 Yard Passing Season
• Sterling Sharpe, First 1,000 Yard Receiving Season

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 1989 Green Bay Packers statistics - Pro-Football-Reference
• 1989 Green Bay Packers - Database Football