The Packers' caller backmost history sounds for illustration a synopsis of events from nan Jedi Temple successful Star Wars. From Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. From Qui-Gon Jinn to Obi-Wan Kenobi to Anakin Skywalker. Green Bay, still employing a tin starter successful a 36-year-old Favre, drafted his eventual successor successful Rodgers successful nan first information of nan 2005 NFL draft. Years later, Green Bay, rolling pinch a 38-year-old Rodgers caller disconnected of an MVP campaign, selected his eventual successor successful nan first information of nan 2021 NFL draught successful Love. And, keeping pinch nan Star Wars theme, conscionable for illustration Skywalker, some Favre and Rodgers yet soured to nan ways of nan Packers (the Jedi) and went to nan acheronian broadside (other teams).
That inevitably meant that erstwhile Padawan and Jedi Master would travel face-to-face. And indeed, specified a showdown came to fruition years ago, and history is group to repetition itself yet again erstwhile Rodgers's Steelers look disconnected against Love's Packers successful Week 8 of nan 2025 NFL season.
So, arsenic Rodgers prepares to look disconnected against nan Packers for nan first time, let's return a travel down representation lane and retrieve really Favre fared successful his first showdown against his aged team.
Favre, possibly still stinging from his arguable exit retired of Green Bay nan twelvemonth prior—a waste and acquisition to nan Jets—had plentifulness of reasons to activity "revenge" against nan Packers erstwhile he first played them arsenic a personnel of nan Vikings successful 2009. And whether aliases not that was nan motivating factor, nan then-40-year-old Favre played highly well.
Looking for illustration nan Favre of aged who returned nan Packers to Super Bowl glory successful nan 1990s, Favre had zip connected nan shot and looked 10 years younger arsenic he led Minnesota to a 30–23 triumph complete Green Bay.
Here are Favre's numbers side-by-side pinch a then-26-year-old Rodgers.
Brett Favre | 77.4% | 271 | 3 | |
Aaron Rodgers | 70.3% | 384 | 2 | 1 |
As you tin see, Rodgers, contempt being hampered by a porous Packers violative line, held his ain against his erstwhile teammate, but Favre intelligibly won nan day. The 2 teams traded touchdowns successful a back-and-forth matter that saw nan Vikings return a 21–14 lead into nan locker room astatine halftime. Favre kicked disconnected nan 2nd half pinch a 31-yard touchdown pass, past nan Minnesota defense grounded Rodgers for 1 of its 8 sacks connected nan day, and what was yet ruled a safety. It was a large turning constituent successful nan contest, arsenic Rodgers and institution put up a valiant effort to travel backmost successful nan 4th quarter, yet falling conscionable short.
After nan game, Favre said astir really "nervous" he was to look his erstwhile team.
"I was astir arsenic tense arsenic I’ve ever been going into a game," Favre said, via The New York Times. “I didn’t deliberation I would be. As nan week progressed, I thought I would beryllium fine. But erstwhile I sewage to nan edifice yesterday, it dawned connected me. I consciousness like, for everyone, you play amended and make amended decisions erstwhile you’re not nervous. I conjecture I was wrong."
Might Rodgers consciousness nan aforesaid nerves travel Sunday night?
How could Rodgers fare against nan Packers?
Rodgers is coming disconnected of a 249-yard, four-touchdown performance—in which he besides threw 2 interceptions—against nan Bengals, a crippled that saw Pittsburgh equine a comeback successful nan 4th quarter, acknowledgment to immoderate heroics from nan early Hall of Famer.
The Steelers whitethorn request immoderate much magic from Rodgers against his aged team. While nan Packers haven't looked astir arsenic awesome arsenic they did to statesman nan season, this is still a squad that boasts nan sixth-ranked defense successful position of yardage allowed and 10th-ranked successful position of points surrendered. There's besides nan matter of a Steelers walk defense, which has looked a spot leaky successful caller weeks, defending Love and nan Packers' fierce aerial attack.
Rodgers intelligibly has fond feelings for nan Packers and Green Bay. And while Rodgers has downplayed nan "revenge" narrative, 1 has to wonderment if he whitethorn consciousness immoderate other information to show nan Packers—as he did nan Jets—that he tin still play. Under nan agleam primetime lights, it wouldn't beryllium astonishing to spot a vintage Rodgers capacity against Green Bay.
If so, it would put Rodgers successful position to subordinate Favre successful NFL lore.
Should Rodgers and nan Steelers look victorious, Rodgers will go conscionable nan 5th backmost to conclusion each 32 teams, joining Favre, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
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