Edgar Bennett Became the First Packers RB in 18 Years to Reach This Milestone

In the 15^th game of the 1995 season, Green Bay Packers running back Edgar Bennett reached a milestone that no Packers player had done in 18 years: he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season. That hadn’t happened since Terdell Middleton did it in 1978. The game was also a record setting one for other Packers like Brett Favre and Robert Brooks and clinched a playoff berth for the team.

Edgar Bennett Became the First Packers RB in 18 Years to Reach This Milestone: The Buildup

The Packers entered this game with a 9-5 record and were fighting for first place in the NFC Central. They needed to win this game to clinch at least a playoff berth for the third consecutive season. If they won their last two games, they could win a division title in a non-strike season for the first time since 1972.

Their opponent, the New Orleans Saints, were 6-8 and out of the NFC playoff picture. They still had a chance to finish .500 for the season as they hosted the Packers at the Superdome.

The Packers were also expected to be without defensive end Reggie White who suffered a hamstring injury in the week before the game. He was originally reported to need surgery and would be out for the season. But White made a miraculous comeback and was able to appear in a limited role for the Packers. While he didn’t make a big impact on the game, he certainly gave the Packers a big emotional boost.

A Fast Start for the Packers

The Packers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. They took the opening kickoff and went 73 yards on seven plays to take the lead. On the first play from scrimmage, Favre found Bennett for a short pass that turned into a 26-yard gain. Another key play on the drive was a 13-yard pass to tight end Mark Chmura. Favre found wideout Anthony Morgan on a 19-yard touchdown pass which put the Packers ahead 7-0.

The Saints wasted little time in responding. They scored on their first drive to tie the score. The big play came on a 41-yard pass from quarterback Jim Everett to wide receiver Quinn Early. Ray Zellers ran for a two-yard score to make the score 7-7.

The Packers continued to scoring frenzy on their next possession. A pass interference call against Eric Allen was good for 46 yards which put the ball at the Saints 19. Two plays later, Favre connected with Brooks for a 17-yard touchdown and the Pack led 14-7.

Edgar Bennett Became the First Packers RB in 18 Years to Reach This Milestone: Pulling Away

The Packers opened up a bigger lead in the second quarter. On the first play from scrimmage of the quarter, Favre found Brooks down the right side on a 40-yard touchdown pass. The Packers led 21-7.

Green Bay increased their lead later in the quarter. Favre found Brooks for 35 yards to get the ball to the Saints 13. Two plays later, he found Antonio Freeman for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Packers were up 28-7.

The Saints immediately answered and got back in the game. Everett found wideout Torrence Small four times on the drive and ended it with a four-yard touchdown pass to Small. The lead was cut to 28-14 at halftime.

Reaching the Milestone

The Packers added to their lead in the third quarter on two Chris Jacke field goals. Bennett set up the second one. He caught a 34-yard pass from Favre to start the drive and then ran the ball five times during it. The Packers were now ahead by 20 points as the game entered the fourth quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Bennett finally reached his milestone. Bennett ran left then cut back to the right for a nine-yard gain on the play.

“I wish I could have done it in front of the fans at Lambeau,” Bennett said. “But I’d rather get it now than get it later. Darrell Thompson, Reggie Cobb, Vince Workman, all those guys I played with had good years, but they couldn’t get that 1,000. I was here when they were and so it’s a little special.”

Bennett was just nine years old when Middleton topped 1,000 yards in 1978. The closest any runner came since then was Gerry Ellis who gained 860 yards in 1981.

“He came up and thanked me, which I thought was nice,” head coach Mike Holmgren said after the game. “I said, ‘Hey, it wasn’t me who did it. Thank your offensive line. They did it for you.’”

The Saints scored nine points in the fourth quarter, but by then, the game was out of reach and the Packers won the game 34-23.

Edgar Bennett Became the First Packers RB in 18 Years to Reach This Milestone: The Aftermath

Bennett finished the game with 150 yards from scrimmage. He gained 80 yards rushing on 26 carries and added 70 yards on three catches out of the backfield.

Bennett wasn’t the only record player to reach a milestone in this game. Brooks finished the contest with five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. That gave him eight games this season with 100-or-more yards, a new Packers record. Brooks left the game early in the second half with a knee injury but insisted he could have played if the game was close.

Meanwhile, Favre completed 21-of-30 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns. That gave him 36 for the season. Only Dan Marino had more in a season in NFL history. Favre would finish the season with 38 and win his first of three straight NFL MVP awards.

“He was as sharp as you can get,” said quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci when asked about Favre. “He was on fire. He was comfortable in the pocket. We protected him well. He was spreading it around like nobody’s business. He was just in total command of this game.”

Rookie cornerback Craig Newsome also reached a milestone. He intercepted his first NFL pass in this game.

White didn’t play much and made just one tackle, but he certainly lifted the team. “We only played him in spots,” Holmgren said. “I was a little nervous about it, but he said he’d be honest with me if it was bothering him. It was a wonderful boost for the team.”

A week later, the Packers clinched the NFC Central crown with a thrilling win over the Steelers at Lambeau Field. But this was a milestone win for the team.