Your feedback desired: Ranking the top 50 games of the Favre-Rodgers era
It's time to rank the 50 greatest games of the last 30 years.
By TimBackes
This summer, I (with YOUR help) am counting down the 50 greatest games of the Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers era, which stretches over the 30 years from 1992 to 2022. Submit the below form as many times as you wish to send in your suggestions for games you'd like to see featured (no need to submit the Super Bowl games; you can assume those will be included).
Note: Games do NOT have to be postseason games, or even have any postseason implications. They do not even necessarily have to be victories if they have some sort of significant meaning for the franchise.
Eventually, fans will be asked to rank games based on three categories:
*Significance/Importance: Was it regular season or postseason? Did it help turn a season around? Did it feature a record breaking performance? Were there any iconic moments?
*Entertainment value: This is mostly subjective. How much fun was the game to watch?
*Intensity: Was it a close, back-and-forth contest, or was it a blowout?
The games will then be placed into a ranking based on composite survey results.
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE POLL! I'll be coming back to you soon to vote with your thoughts on the games to create our ranking.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (40)
Oppy
March 07, 2024 at 06:43 am
Packers-Raiders MNF day after Big Irv died.
Packers-Bears Packers steal the Halas trophy out of the Bears' dirty mitts on their home turf, ripping the hearts out of Bears fans chest and then showing it to them while it's still thumping.
Really, the entire "magic carpet ride" including the start- the loss to the Patriots that almost wasn't. Although what they did to the Falcons was kind of Rodgers big coming out party where he REALLY put the league on notice.
About 43 other games I'm too lazy to recall.
WD
March 07, 2024 at 07:25 am
Yes, that was a magical evening and Favre's greatest game ever. No QB in history has ever a had or will have a performance like that was. I also remember vividly the day young Bret Favre came off the bench to replace the injured "Magic man" and then immediately threw a long TD pass to win the game against the Bengals. To me Brett Favre has always been the GOAT.
murf7777
March 07, 2024 at 07:45 am
I thought about Raiders game and the Bears, those were both great picks. I chose 1996 SB Victory because it brought back the Lombardi trophy to where it belonged.
Coldworld
March 07, 2024 at 08:13 am
Super Bowls aside (for the significance more than the play) you beat me to it. Just the best game on field and in terms of atmosphere I’ve seen (not just Favre but Driver). Not even close.
One other that stands out in my memory is neither Favre nor Rodgers but Flynn. The game he set the record passing. So few expectations such a shellacking.
As you say, there are plenty of others, but those two just jump into my head on reading the question. I feel bad about not having a Rodgers one. Probably the 6 TDs in the first half versus Atalanta—2014 I think, but it is not as burned into my memory.
LLCHESTY
March 07, 2024 at 05:57 pm
The 6TDs in a half game was against the Bears. Lang and Sitton blocking downfield on the Lacy TD was awesome.
https://youtu.be/4gWoSMk3tx4?si=l0OYO8SZbbgydoWZ
T7Steve
March 07, 2024 at 07:46 am
The season after Favre won the Super Bowl, he and the rest of the team played their most complete game, defeating the 49es and Steve Young in the NFC Championship in San Fran. Unfortunately, they lost the next game to the Broncos.
RCPackerFan
March 07, 2024 at 08:05 am
The 2 top games are the 2 super bowls. That is easy.
The NFC Championship game wins would also be up there.
Some other top games off the top of my head.
Favre - Raiders game after his dad passed away. That will always be a top 5 game for me.
Favre - Seahawks playoff game. The Hasselbeck "we want the ball and we are going to score" game.
Rodgers - Atlanta Falcons playoff game. Where they were the 6th seed going into the 1 seed's house and destroyed them.
Rodgers - Cowboys 2017 playoff game where he hits Jared Cook down the sideline with 3 seconds left and they win.
These are some of the top games off the top of my head.
bjkdad44
March 07, 2024 at 01:50 pm
Agree with pack/ Dallas game
crayzpackfan
March 07, 2024 at 08:22 am
Favre against Atlanta in the playoffs or to get them into the playoffs running in for a touchdown - All of Rodgers Hail Mary throws. Favre's first game against the Bungles.
GregC
March 07, 2024 at 08:28 am
Oh yes, that Hail Mary at Detroit, Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers for the TD and the win.
crayzpackfan
March 07, 2024 at 08:52 am
The Monday Night "He Did What?" throw and catch to Freeman against the Vikings
13TimeChamps
March 07, 2024 at 09:28 am
The game against the Bears...I can't remember the year...when Rodgers got injured in the first half. Everyone assumed he was out for rest of the game. Then when he came running out to start the 2nd half and the place went crazy.
Everyone always marveled, and rightfully so, at Favre's toughness. That game established that Rodgers could play through pain and injury as well, as they came back to win the game.
Cheezehead72
March 07, 2024 at 09:31 am
Sep 9, 2018 Bears v Packers where Rodgers hurt his knee comes back in the second half and throws three TDs to win 23-24.
Leatherhead
March 07, 2024 at 09:35 am
Favre's 6 interceptions against the Rams in the playoffs in 2001
Favre's 3 turnovers and passer rating of 54.4 in the playoffs in 2002.
Favre's phatal Philly Phling in overtime in the playoffs in 2003.
Favre's 4 interceptions and 55.4 rating in the playoffs in 2004.
Favre's 36 turnovers in 2005.
And last, his fatal panic interception in 2007 in the playoffs.
I remember those a lot more clearly than some regular season game.
crayzpackfan
March 07, 2024 at 09:40 am
Jesus LH, talk about sprinkling cancer dust all over a basket of puppies. Go eat a Snicker Bar grumpy butt.
bjkdad44
March 07, 2024 at 01:52 pm
Grumpy butt!!… 🤣😂🤣
LLCHESTY
March 07, 2024 at 06:15 pm
"talk about sprinkling cancer dust all over a basket of puppies"
Awesome line CPF! Have to remember that one.
T7Steve
March 07, 2024 at 09:43 am
He did say "they don't need to be wins" but defining moments. I guess that defines his career.
I'm sure you can make a similar list for Rodgers.
Change of pace away from the draft.
Coldworld
March 07, 2024 at 10:02 am
Favre gets a lot of shade given how much we enjoy watching him. Highs came with lows with him, but it was probably the most fun football overall. He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason and it’s valid. Sheesh. Im going to turn away from this thread after that.
T7Steve
March 07, 2024 at 10:23 am
He was always fun to watch because he always looked like he was having fun doing it. Like he'd do it on the weekend in the park, just like us.
Leatherhead
March 07, 2024 at 10:45 am
If you were somebody, like an offensive lineman, and you busted your hump in the offseason to get stronger and better, and every year you watched your season end because some guy who spent the offseason riding his lawnmower was just out there having fun like a kid on a playground, how would that make you feel? Especially when the guy does it over and over?
Fun to watch unless you're trying really hard to win. Then, maybe not so much.
T7Steve
March 07, 2024 at 11:03 am
I see your point LH, but I wish I had a job that was fun, and I'd still get paid. The other working guys on the team can deal with it on their own. I'm just a fan trying to get as much good fun out of it as I can.
Leatherhead
March 07, 2024 at 11:16 am
Me too, Steve. I think that if you're the leader, you set the tone. I cringed when a young CB explained a bad mistake away by saying "I was trying to make a play", because that's exactly what the leader was saying.
Favre should have been reined in, Sherman didn't do it, that's on him. Because this isn't the playground, it's the big leagues, and there's a lot riding on these games, personally and professionally, for everyone. If the same guy kept screwing it up, it would get to me.
Getting to the Super Bowl with Favre those last 10 years was pretty much like trying to get off the island with Gilligan. There's no way he won't screw it up.
Bitternotsour
March 07, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Mike Sherman was a classic kick-down, kiss-up manager. For some unforeseen reason some people believe he was good at his job. Thank goodness the board saw fit to bring back Ted to straighten out the franchise, no more trading up to the third round for a punter...
Sherman was another huge mistake by Ron Wolf (who also walks on water in some circles).
13TimeChamps
March 07, 2024 at 11:11 am
I could have sworn the article was about ranking the top 50 games over the last 30 years, not ranking the top examples of what a horrible person Favre was. But we're all free to interpret it any way we choose. I guess that's what these rooms enable us to do.
Personally, I prefer to remember how enjoyable it was being a Packer fan during that time. So many great games to choose from. It's hard to list just one or two.
LLCHESTY
March 07, 2024 at 06:04 pm
I think he would have been a lot more fun to watch if you weren't a Packer fan. Then he'd be a must watch even if he wasn't playing your favorite team and his end of the game shenanigans would be great entertainment.
Bitternotsour
March 07, 2024 at 09:55 am
My fondest memory of Favre is his crushing the Vikings souls with perhaps the stupidest throw of his career vs the Saints (while wearing that treasonous purple uniform)
I don't believe I've ever been happier watching another team's football.
Leatherhead
March 07, 2024 at 10:41 am
Oh yeah, that was beyond sweet. All season long, I'd been telling anybody who would listen, over and over, that Favre would drive the Vikings season into the ditch. And he did. I actually had sore ribs the next day from laughing so hard. And the next season, we won the Super Bowl.
Favre was a very good QB in the 90s, but after our 1997 Super Bowl season, he wasn't that guy anymore. His last 10 years in Green Bay he was an above average QB who turned it over a lot, especially on the big stage in the big moments.
I thought he was overrated over the last several years of his career, openly called for him to be traded after the 2003 choke job, and was elated when he announced his retirement. Kind of like a lot of us felt when Rodgers got traded, that wave of relief that it's over and we're going to turn the page.
After his faux-retirement Kabouki dance, and some regrettable things he said, he wasn't exactly on my Christmas Card list. I can't believe they let a guy who had sent pictures of his Croc to a young woman (not his wife) have access to the kids at Hattiesburg High School, but he appears to have survived that. Now, he's basically in trouble with the law for stealing money from poor people. (Yes, he knew the money wasn't his, and that it was for somebody else).
I don't think he's a good guy, and I think he was overrated as a QB the last 10 years of his career. He was a big game liability, that's for sure.
Bitternotsour
March 07, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I see the contingent who wore brett favre pajamas are out to remark on your salient descriptions of the last 10 years of the Favre experience.
It made pure sense to me that Brett would steal millions from the poor to enhance himself, I mean, why not - free money, right?
Coldworld
March 08, 2024 at 08:55 am
If we are being asked to opine on their off field character, then Favre isn’t going to win many contests during or after.
However, that was not the question and it’s kind of sad to see some use this as a surrogate bashing opportunity for what he did for the team on field and the experience watching it. Rodgers too became tiresome and while not to Favre’s level, had done dubious aspects later on and arguably became even more of an obstacle to team success.
Both had pretty much the same Packers career outcomes and might-have-been legacies. Both needed to be gone by the end. If you want a role model, Starr will always be our best legacy.
Bitternotsour
March 07, 2024 at 12:03 pm
But Leatherhead, he's running around like a little kid out there...
I think Favre's downfall came after he got off Vicodin. Remember when he was addicted to Vicodin - those were the wild days. Consequence free football.
Leatherhead
March 07, 2024 at 12:14 pm
As a father, coach, school teacher,and dog owner, I know that kids, dogs, and players all will turn out better if you establish limits and don't accept certain types of behavior.
The Packers, in 1993, almost benched Favre for not protecting the rock, but they stayed the course and he responded with 4 of his best seasons at protecting the ball, and he won three MVPs and we went to the Super Bowl twice.
But then....Holmgren on his way out the door. Rhodes, not really ready for the job. Sherman, even less so. I mean, I can understand Sherman....no experience as a HC, and you've got a star QB, so you hitch your wagon. But as Otter said to Flounder "Hey, you screwed up. You trusted us". Favre's pouting performance after Rodgers was drafted (36 turnovers) in 2005 sealed Sherman's fate.
That "little kid having fun" stuff got old with me quick. You're a professional. If you were an OB/GYN, and you dropped a baby because you were having fun, that would be unacceptable
13TimeChamps
March 08, 2024 at 09:26 am
I think it's adorable when one of you posts on here, the other soon shows up to offer their support. One never knows where friendship, kinship, love, etc. will present itself. It can be a beautiful thing.
splitpea1
March 07, 2024 at 11:08 am
1. The final regular season game of the 1996 when we clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs against the Vikings 38-10. Party time!!
2. The Super Bowl win against the Steelers; a little nerve-racking towards the end of the game, but obviously well worth it.
Cheezehead72
March 07, 2024 at 11:17 am
Those are good but we can look at all the wins going towards the Super Bowl win against the Steelers as we had so many players on IR at the Super Bowl it was up to 16. Also we were a 6th seed.
Starrbrite
March 07, 2024 at 05:39 pm
Leatherhead—I too tired of Farve despite so many thrilling games he provided. The two playoff INT’s vs the Giants and Eagles are the most egregious and ridiculous of all-time, it soured me big time against Farve. I always felt Mike Sherman (much like LaFluer with ARod) did not have the spine to rein him in.
In any case, I felt one the greatest games was the playoff win in Atlanta—I’ve never witnessed better skill by any QB ever.
Any win against the hated Broncos is a thrill for me. The SB loss to them is the most devastating loss of all time.
Go Packers!!!
Leatherhead
March 07, 2024 at 06:29 pm
I thought he was the greatest player I'd ever seen. Better than Montana. Early version Favre was amazing; post-MVP Favre was less amazing, more ordinary, and just way too reckless with the ball in the clutch.
Rodgers, on the other hand, is the standard for protecting the ball, won 4MVPs, and provided many memorable moments. The Hail Mary against the Lions. The Hail Marys against AZ in the playoffs. The great last possession against Dallas in 2016 in the playoffs. It's easy for me to recall those.
Starrbrite
March 07, 2024 at 07:18 pm
Yep—agree
LLCHESTY
March 07, 2024 at 06:11 pm
I'd include the '94 Halloween "Mud Bowl" game against the Bears. Bears came into that game 4-3, Packers 3-4. Packers lose that one and they most likely are out of the playoffs. Instead it was a commanding 33-6 win.
Starrbrite
March 07, 2024 at 07:19 pm
Yes—good one LL.