


The Packers recorded their third consecutive 8-8 season, but were clearly an aging team on the decline. The offense slipped to 16th with 337 points, while the defense slid to 15th by giving up 355. Although the team went 6-2 in the Central Division, it was a weak division. They were 5-3 at home, 3-5 on the road, 7-2 against losing teams, but just 1-6 against winners.
The highlight of the year was the Blizzard Bowl against Tampa on December 1 at Lambeau. In the white-out that held attendance under 20,000, the Pack won easily 21-0, outgaining the Bucs 512 yards to 65. Lynn Dickey was brilliant, completing 22 of 38 passes for 289 yards, while Tampa’s Steve Young was continually driven into the snow. The game would turn out to be the last regular season game that Dickey would play. That week he injured his neck on a weight machine, missed the rest of the season and then was cut and retired the following preseason.
1985 is also notable for Green Bay surrendering first and fifth round picks to San Diego to acquire the discontented and out-of-shape cornerback Mossy Cade. Cade was unimpressive in his two seasons in the Packer secondary before he was charged with sexually assaulting his aunt and disappeared from the game.
Dickey was 5-5 in his starts and completed 54.8% of his passes for 2,206 yards, 15 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Veteran backup Jim Zorn was 3-2 in five starts despite completing just 45% of his passes for 794 yards, four TDs and six picks. Randy Wright lost his only start and threw for 502 yards for two scores and four interceptions.
The ground game was a three-headed affair of Eddie Lee Ivery (636 yards), Jessie Clark (633 yards) and Gerry Ellis (571 yards). James Lofton was the leading receiver with 69 catches for 1,153 yards and four scores. Paul Coffman caught 49 passes for six touchdowns, and Phil Epps added 44 receptions. Al Del Greco led in scoring with 95 points.
On defense, Tim Lewis picked off four passes to lead the team, while Ezra Johnson was the top pass rusher with 9.5 sacks, and Alfonso Carreker added nine. Lofton was the team’s only Pro Bowl selection and was a second team All-Pro. The draft did produce some quality for a change. Tackle Ken Ruettgers came in round one, guard Rich Moran in round two, linebacker Brian Noble in round five and safety Ken Stills in round eight.














Custom card of Coffman is colorized.