3:30 PM or later Playoff Game Starts at Lambeau Field

Why is it that the Packers have not won many playoff games at Lambeau Field when the game start time is 3:30 PM or later (all time record in those home playoff games is 2-4)?

Between the years of 1961 and 2002, the Green Bay Packers never had a home playoff game that started later than 1:00 PM. During that time, the Packers were 11-0 in playoff games at Lambeau Field.

The first playoff game that started later than 1:00 PM at Lambeau Field was on January 4, 2003 , with the game starting at 7:00 PM, against Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons (and we all know how that went). Since that 2003 Lambeau Field playoff loss, the Packers have a home playoff record of 2-4. Incidentally, in the 2 playoff wins, one had a start time of 12:00 PM (2004) and the other at 3:30 PM (2008) and both of those wins came against the Seattle Seahawks.

I do not know the why’s of this or if it just coincidence, but I do find it an interesting fact about the Packer’s playoff game history at Lambeau Field and game start times. And now, after the loss in Minnesota, the NFL has scheduled the Vikings @ Packers wildcard playoff game for Saturday at 7:00 PM at Lambeau Field. Does this mean the Packers will lose because this playoff game is starting later than 1:00 PM – no, not at all. In fact, I think Green Bay can win this game. But the Packers better be ready Saturday night and this will be the game for the Packers to begin a new playoff winning streak at Lambeau Field no matter the game start time. Below are interesting facts about playoff games at Lambeau Field.

Game Start 3:30 or later all time (record of 1-4)
Game Start before 3:00 all time (record of 12-0)
2003 to 2012 Home playoff record (record of 2-4)
2003 to 2012 Wild Card Home record (record of 1-2)

Playoff Games at Lambeau Field – Game Time 3:30 PM / 5:30 PM / 7:00 PM
Saturday, Jan. 5, ‘13 (Wildcard) 7:00 PM ??? Minnesota __ Green Bay __

Sunday, Jan. 15, ‘ 12 (Divisional) 3:40 PM Lost NY Giants 37 Green Bay 20

Sunday, Jan. 20, ’ 08 (NFCC) 5:30 PM Lost NY Giants 23 Green Bay 20

Saturday, Jan. 12, ’ 08 (Divisional) 3:30 PM Win Seattle 20 Green Bay 42

Sunday, Jan. 9, ’05 (Wildcard) 3:30 PM Lost Minnesota 31 Green Bay 17

Saturday, Jan. 4, ’03 (Wildcard) 7:00 PM Lost Atlanta 27 Green Bay 7

Playoff Games at Lambeau Field – Game Time 11:30 AM / 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004 (Wildcard) 12:00 PM Win Seattle 27 Green Bay 33

Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002 11:30 AM Win San Francisco 15 Green Bay 25

Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998 11:30 AM Win Tampa Bay 7 Green Bay 21

Sunday, Jan. 12, 1997 11:30 AM Win Carolina 13 Green Bay 30

Sunday, Jan. 4, 1997 11:30 AM Win San Francisco 14 Green Bay 35

Sunday, Dec. 31, 1995 11:30 AM Win Atlanta 20 Green Bay 37

Saturday, Dec. 31, 1994 11:30 AM Win Detroit 12 Green Bay 16

Saturday, Jan. 8, 1983 11:30 AM Win STL Cardinals 16 Green Bay 41

Sunday, Dec. 31, 1967 1:00 PM Win Dallas 17 Green Bay 21

Sunday, Dec. 26, 1965 1:00 PM Win Baltimore Colts 10 Green Bay 13

Sunday, Jan. 2, 1966 1:00 PM Win Cleveland 12 Green Bay 23

Sunday, Dec. 31 1961 1:00 PM Win NY Giants 0 Green Bay 37

Playoff time brings out people that rarely post. Wish the whole season would do that.

Coincidence.

As long as we give the ball to Harris more than the 16 times he got it yesterday, we'll be fine. In my mind, the formula goes like this:

1) Win or tie turnover battle.
2) Run the ball 25 times.
3) Convert half of third downs.

WIN