Donald Driver holds the Green Bay Packers record for most catches and most receiving yards. The former seventh-round pick out of Alcorn State became a target that both Brett Favre and later Aaron Rodgers could rely on in all situations. But of all the outstanding games Packers wide receiver Donald Driver played, the most productive game of his career came against the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 in a close game at the Metrodome.
Remembering Donald Driver and the Most Productive Game of His Career: The Buildup
The 2006 Packers got off to a disappointing start. They lost four of their first five games and entered this game against the Vikings with a 3-5 mark. Favre remained the Packers starting quarterback, but the 37-year-old was having trouble playing at his customary high level every week.
The Vikings were 4-4 so this game had a major impact on the NFC North standings. The Vikings were also struggling, having lost their last two games. They had the league’s best run defense and were desperate to hang on to their playoff chances.
The winner of this game would keep their wild card hopes alive while the loser would have only very slim hopes of reaching the postseason.
The Packers Take the Early Lead
Both teams went three and out on their first possession. When the Packers got the ball back, Driver started his incredible day. On third-and-eight at the Green Bay 17, Favre found Driver open down the middle for a 27-yard gain. Three plays later, Driver caught another pass for 20 yards, again exploiting the middle of the field. The drive stalled at the Minnesota two when Ahman Green was tackled there on third and goal. Dave Rayner kicked a 20-yard field goal, and the Packers led 3-0.
On the first play of the next drive, Brady Poppinga sacked Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson and forced a fumble. Corey Williams fell on the ball at the Vikings 22. Two runs by Green gained 20 yards. On 3rd-and-goal at the Minnesota five, Favre found running back Noah Herron in the right flat and he scored the game’s first touchdown. The Packers led 10-0 with 3:40 left in the first quarter.
Remembering Donald Driver and the Most Productive Game of His Career: Back and Forth
The Vikings responded on their next drive. The eight-play, 72-yard drive ended on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Billy McMullen. The Green Bay lead was cut to 10-7.
The Vikings scored again on their next drive. They marched 82 yards on nine plays. A 35-yard pass to Bethel Johnson was the big gain on the drive. Johnson threw to Chester Taylor, but A.J. Hawk forced a fumble which rolled into the end zone. McMullin fell on the ball, and the Vikings led 14-10 midway through the second quarter.
With one minute left in the half, the Packers regained the lead. The drive started at the Green Bay three. A limping Favre found Greg Jennings for 12 yards to get a little breathing room. One play later, Favre read the defense at the line of scrimmage and came up with a big play. He saw Vikings nickel back Roynell Whitaker leaning to the outside in his coverage on Drive. After the snap, he stayed on his outside shoulder. The Vikings were also playing cover-2, so the middle of the field was open. Driver caught the pass and ran 82 yards for the touchdown. The Packers led 17-14 at the half.
“I wouldn’t usually go to him on that particular play,” Favre said. “Our touchdown passes have been hard to come by this year, but right when he caught it, I figured there was a good chance he was going to score.”
“I love that guy. I know what he’s thinking, he knows what I’m thinking,” Driver said. “That’s a great combination. When it’s all said and done, I’m just glad I’ll be a part of [Favre’s] legacy.”
The Second Half Battle
Midway through the third quarter the Packers lost right tackle Mark Tauscher after he suffered a leg injury. Rookie Tony Moll stepped in and took his place. The key play on the drive as a 12-yard pass to Jennings who lateraled to Driver who ran for 30 more yards. Cedric Griffin of Minnesota was called for unnecessary roughness which added more yards to the play. It set up a 24-yard field goal by Rayner that increased the Packers led to 20-14.
“We’ve done it a few times every practice, but they stopped us, telling us quit pitching and all that stuff because they wanted ball security, and we stopped it,” Driver said. “If anybody gets a fine, it’s going to be Greg.”
“I just knew he had outflanked the defenders and he had an opportunity to possibly score so I pitched it,” Jennings added.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Packers added to their lead. Patrick Dendy intercepted Johnson to end a Minnesota drive at the Green Bay 23. Two catches by Ruvell Martin for 34 total yards were the key plays on a drive that culminated with a 29-yard field goal by Ryaner. The score was 23-14 with just 2:14 left in the game, making it a two-possession game.
Former Packers kicker Ryan Longwell added a field goal for the Vikings with 1:02 left in the game, but the Vikings couldn’t recover the onsides kick and the Packers held on for a 23-17 win.
Remembering Donald Driver and the Most Productive Game of His Career: The Aftermath
Driver finished the game with six catches for 191 yards and a touchdown. The 191 yards ended up being his career high. Throughout the game, he and Vikings rookie cornerback Cedric Griffin went toe-to-toe. Griffin started trash talking early in the game, but Driver got the last laugh.
“I said, ‘Listen, you’re a good player but don’t talk trash to me because I can step it up another level when you start doing that,’” Driver told reporters after the game.
Favre finished the game with 347 yards passing and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception.
Fullback William Henderson was thrilled with the win. “Come on, this is Minnesota. This is divisional. Happy is probably an understatement simply because we know how difficult it’s been to win over here. This is a fantastic win. A young team coming into a more adverse situation than we had last week on the road, holding their poise against a very respected and talented defensive line, a talented secondary, and we were able to make plays.”
“I think everyone on this team contributed today,” Favre added. “I can’t think of too many times in my career that that’s happened.”
Unfortunately, the Packers finished the season 8-8 and missed the playoffs. They would return to prominence the following season when they went 13-3 and reached the NFC Championship Game.
Driver had 22 games with 100 yards or more in his career, but none that gained more yards than this one.
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