NFL One-Hit Wonders: Matt Flynn

Matt Flynn is the definition of a one-hit-wonder. NFL one-hit wonders happen more often than you think. Players can have one career year and then do nothing for the rest of their time in the league. This week, I am doing a series on some of the past one-hit wonders, culminating on Friday with a look at the candidates for 2023. Today, we look at one week 17 game that has quarterback Matt Flynn going down in history.

Former Packers QB Matt Flynn – Tom Lynn

NFL One-Hit Wonders: Matt Flynn

The Green Bay Packers had their playoff spot locked up in the 2011 season. There was no reason to play the starters in week 17 against the Lions. They were sitting at 14-1, ready to defend their Super Bowl title. Flynn stepped in along with many other backups to take on the Lions in a meaningless game. However, this became one of the most meaningful games in the Packers’ history.

Former Packers QB Matt Flynn – Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

2011 Week 17 Against The Lions

Flynn was a seventh-round pick out of LSU and was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2001 season. This one start made him a lot of money. In the game, he threw for 480 yards and six (six!!) touchdowns. This is still tied for the most touchdown passes in Green Bay Packers history. It is Matt Flynn and Aaron Rodgers. Flynn could do no wrong in the game and easily moved the ball up and down the field. It is worth noting that Matthew Stafford also had a career game with 520 yards and five touchdowns. It was a high-scoring affair that ended with the Packers winning 45-41.

Former Seahawks QB Matt Flynn (15) – Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

Flynn’s Big Payday

This performance led to the Seattle Seahawks signing Flynn to a three-year deal worth up to $20 million and nine million guaranteed. Many thought he was in line to be the starter for Seattle, but he was beaten out by third-round rookie Russell Wilson. This made Flynn expendable, and they traded him to the Raiders. He started one game for the team before being demoted to the third-string quarterback. He traveled around the league for years, even ending up back with the Packers for a bit but he never found his footing in a starting role.

Former Packers QB Matt Flynn (10) – Jim Rogash/Getty Images

One Game Made His Career

Flynn rode the wave of that week 17 game for years. He kept receiving opportunities because of his performance. This is one of the most crazy stories in NFL history that not many people know about. A historically great start in a meaningless game made Flynn millions of dollars and gave him numerous chances around the league. While others have had seasons of greatness, Flynn only had one game.

As a Packers fan, Matt Flynn will live in infamy for his week 17 game. While the 2011 season ended with disappointment in the playoffs, the week 17 game remains one of the most hilarious NFL one-hit wonders.