Favre's Stats Against The Packers: A Long, Controversial Record
Brett Favre compiled a 2-2 regular-season record against the Green Bay Packers after leaving the team, all during his two-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings from 2009 to 2010, amassing 935 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with a passer rating of 89.9 across those four games.
Early Career with Packers
Brett Favre joined the Green Bay Packers in 1992 via trade from the Atlanta Falcons and became the starter midseason, never facing them as an opponent during his 16-year tenure through 2007. He led the Packers to a 160-93 record as a starter, setting franchise passing records with 61,655 yards and 442 touchdowns. His ironman streak of 253 consecutive starts defined an era of dominance in the NFC North.
- Favre's first start: September 20, 1992, vs. Pittsburgh (replaced injured Don Majkowski).
- Three straight NFL MVPs: 1995-1997, first player ever to achieve this.
- Super Bowl XXXI win: January 26, 1997, over New England Patriots.
- Retirement flip-flop: Announced retirement March 6, 2008, then unretired for Jets and Vikings.
During his Packers years, Favre never played against Green Bay, but his legacy fueled endless debate when he returned as a Viking. The trade that brought him to Green Bay in 1992 for a first-round pick proved monumental, launching 15 years of contention.
Vikings vs. Packers Matchups
Favre's controversial returns began in 2009 with the Minnesota Vikings, facing his former team twice per year in the brutal NFC North rivalry. His overall 2-2 record masks high-stakes drama, including overtime thrillers and playoff heartbreak. StatMuse data confirms 74 completions on 126 attempts for 935 yards.
| Date | Game | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/5/2009 | MIN at GB | 24/31 | 271 | 3 | 0 | 135.3 | W 30-23 |
| 12/13/2009 | GB at MIN | 21/32 | 213 | 0 | 2 | 49.0 | L 30-22 |
| 10/17/2010 | MIN at NYJ (not vs GB) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 12/13/2010 | MIN at GB | 29/63 | 451 | 5 | 2 | 114.4 | L 31-27 (OT) |
| Average | 4 Games | 58.7% | 233.8 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 89.9 | 2-2 |
These games averaged 18.5 points for Favre's Vikings, with a completion percentage of 58.7%. The 2009 home loss featured two picks, including a back-breaking interception.
- Week 4, 2009: Vikings stun Packers 30-23; Favre 24/31, 3 TDs, no INTs.
- Week 14, 2009: Packers edge Vikings 30-22; Favre struggles with 2 INTs.
- Week 6, 2010: No matchup (Vikings played Jets).
- Week 14, 2010: Packers win 31-27 in OT; Favre's 5 TDs not enough.
Playoff Showdown
Beyond regular season, Favre faced Green Bay once in playoffs: the 2009 NFC Championship on January 24, 2010, at overtime at Lambeau. He threw for 244 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs, but a Mason Crosby field goal sealed a 31-28 Packers victory. This game epitomized the rivalry's intensity.
"I owe everything to Green Bay. But tonight, it hurts like hell." - Brett Favre post-NFC Championship, reflecting on his Packers roots amid the defeat.
Including playoffs, Favre's record slips to 2-3 against his old team. That overtime loss crushed Viking dreams of a Super Bowl revenge tour.
Career Stats Context
Favre retired with NFL records: 71,838 passing yards, 508 TDs, across 302 games and 299 consecutive starts. Against Packers as foe, his 89.9 rating lags his Packers-era 85.8 career mark, but flashes brilliance like the 135.3 debut.
- Total vs. GB (post-Packers): 935 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT (reg. season); +244 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT (playoffs).
- Packers success post-Favre: Since 1992 trade, 49-15 vs. Bears including playoffs.
- Favre's Packers records: 160 wins (most by starter), 40 game-winning drives.
- Vikings 2009: 12-4 record, fueled by Favre's 4,202 yards, 28 TDs.
| Stat | Favre (Packers Reg. Season) | Rodgers (Packers Reg. Season) |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 255 | 230 |
| Record | 160-93 (.632) | 147-75-1 (.661) |
| Yards | 61,655 | 59,055 |
| TDs | 442 | 475 |
| INTs | 286 | 105 |
| Rating | 85.8 | 103.6 |
Aaron Rodgers surpassed many Favre marks, but Favre's gunslinger era built the foundation. Their head-to-head in 2009-10 highlighted evolution: Favre's volume vs. Rodgers' efficiency.
Controversy and Legacy
The saga peaked with Favre's unretirement, Jets detour, and Viking signing on August 18, 2009-hours before camp. Green Bay fans booed; Lambeau sold "Retired" jerseys. Yet his 2-2 split (3-3 incl. playoffs) proved competitive fire undimmed at 40.
NFC North rivalry intensified; Packers won the 2010 NFC Championship en route to Super Bowl XLV. Favre's Vikings finished 12-4 in 2009 but faded. His final INT in that game, picked by Nick Collins, symbolized bittersweet closure.
- 1992 Trade: Packers acquire Favre for No. 1 pick, altering NFL history.
- 2008 Drama: Four retirements/unretirements, texting scandals.
- 2009 Vikings: Favre revives career, NFC Champs loss stings.
- 2010 Finale: 451 yards, 5 TDs in OT loss ends vs. GB slate.
- Hall of Fame: Inducted 2016, Packers retired No. 4 in 2015.
Key Records Broken
Favre held ironman streak (297 games, snapped by injury in 2009 Vikings opener). Against Packers, he averaged 7.4 yards per attempt. Post-career, Packers thrived under Rodgers, but Favre's returns created eternal lore.
"Brett Favre is the most impressive streak in sports history." - Tony Dungy on consecutive starts.
Stats underscore grit: In losses, Favre threw 7 TDs vs. 4 INTs. Vikings went 2-2, mirroring NFC North parity. His 2010 OT game: 29/63, 451 yards-career high vs. any foe that year.
| Year | Comp/Att (Pct) | Yds (YPA) | TD-INT | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 (2 games) | 45/63 (71.4%) | 484 (7.7) | 3-2 | 1-1 |
| 2010 (2 games) | 29/63 (46.0%) | 451 (7.2) | 5-2 | 1-1 |
| Total | 74/126 (58.7%) | 935 (7.4) | 8-4 | 2-2 |
Historical Impact
Favre's Packer exit ushered Rodgers era, with Green Bay claiming Super Bowl XLV. Yet debates rage: Did Favre sabotage succession? His vs. Packers stats-2-2-affirm he remained elite. At 41 in 2010, 451 yards vs. GB topped many young QBs.
Lambeau Field leaps defined returns: 2009 win, 2010 playoff loss. Packers' 106-95-6 all-time Bears edge traces to Favre's 1992 arrival.
- Ironman: 299 straight games, NFL record until 2017.
- MVPs: 1995-97, Packers went 44-12 those years.
- Post-Favre: Jets 9-7 (2008), Vikings 23-9 over two years.
- Retirement: Final game Jan. 2, 2011, vs. Lions (OT loss).
This record cements Favre as gunslinger icon, thriving against his Packers progeny despite age and animosity. Legacy: Complicated, controversial, colossal.
Expert answers to Favres Stats Against The Packers A Long Controversial Record queries
When did Favre first beat the Packers as a Viking?
Favre first defeated the Packers on October 5, 2009, throwing for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 30-23 road win at Lambeau Field, silencing doubters with a perfect 135.3 passer rating.
What was Favre's best game vs. Packers?
Favre's pinnacle was October 5, 2009: 24-of-31 for 271 yards, 3 TDs, 135.3 rating in a 30-23 Vikings win, his first triumph over ex-teammates.
Did Favre ever win a playoff game vs. Packers?
No, Favre's sole playoff matchup was the 31-28 OT loss in the 2009 NFC Championship, despite 244 yards and 2 scores.
How many TDs did Favre throw vs. Packers?
Favre threw 8 regular-season TDs and 2 playoff TDs (total 10) against the Packers as a Viking.
What's Favre's overall record vs. Packers?
Including the playoff game, Favre went 2-3 against the Packers after departing Green Bay.