Brett Favre did not leave the Green Bay Packers on the best of terms. When he signed with the Minnesota Vikings a year after the Packers traded him the New York Jets, many Packers fans felt betrayed by the man who led the team for 16 seasons. In his first season with the Vikings in 2009, Favre beat the Packers twice. But in 2010, the Packers got their revenge on Favre and the Vikings with a 28-24 win on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.

Packers Get Revenge on Brett Favre: The Leadup to the Game

The Packers entered the game at 3-3 and definitely needed a division win to keep their momentum alive. Aaron Rodgers had taken over for Favre in 2008 and led the team to the playoffs in 2009. Now, the Packers were hoping to take things to the next level and contend for a Super Bowl.

The Vikings were off to a disappointing 2-3 start. Favre had led them to the NFC Championship Game the previous season where they lost to the New Orleans Saints in a brutal game that saw the quarterback take a harsh beating. It would later be known as “Bountygate” as Saints players tried to punish the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Now, they were facing a must-win against Favre’s former team.

The fans were still angry at Favre and booed him during pregame introductions. Banners around the stadium were critical of Favre as fans expressed their hurt about the way Favre handled his exit and eventual decision to sign with the Vikings.

A national television audience also tuned in for this game between two NFC North division rivals.

The First Half

The Packers scored on their second drive of the game. Rodgers found Greg Jennings for 24 yards on the first play of the drive. One play later, he found James Jones for 45 yards to the Minnesota one. Brandon Jackson ran it in from one yard out and the Packers led 7-0.

Favre led the Vikings right back on the next drive. A 48-yard kick return by Percy Harvin gave the Vikings excellent field position. Harvin ran the ball in for a 17-yard touchdown on the seventh play of the drive and the game was tied 7-7.

It took Rodgers just five plays to answer. The first play of the drive was a 32-yard strike to Jones. Next came a 36-yard pass to Jackson that got the ball to the Minnesota 11. Rodgers finished the drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andrew Quarless on the first play of the second quarter. The Packers led 14-7.

Then it was Favre’s turn. A deep pass to Bernard Berrian gained 30 yards. Adrian Peterson capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Ryan Longwell kicked the extra point, and the game was tied 14-14.

Longwell booted a field goal with 4:04 left in the second quarter and the Vikings held a 17-14 lead at the half.

Packers Get Revenge on Brett Favre: The Defense Steps Up

After the Packers went three-and-out to start the second half, the defense stepped up. Favre tried to find Berrian over the middle, but linebacker A.J. Hawk intercepted the ball and ran it back 21 yards to the Vikings 41. Four plays later, Rodgers found Jennings for a 14-yard touchdown pass. The Packers now led 21-17.

Things got better for the Packers on the second play of the ensuing Vikings drive. Favre tried to find Randy Moss in the flat, but Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop intercepted and returned the ball 32 yards for a touchdown. The Packers now led 28-17.

“A little payback don’t hurt,” Bishop said after the game.

The Vikings answered quickly. Favre found Harvin for 37 yards and Jim Kleinsasser for 10 more. He finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Moss. The Packers lead was cut to four points with four minutes left in the third quarter.

An Exciting Finish

The Packers drove into Vikings territory on their next drive and reached the 34. But John Kuhn was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-one and the Pack came away empty-handed.

The Vikings then reached the Green Bay 35, but safety Nick Collins intercepted Favre to end that drive and give the Packers the ball back.

The Vikings started their final drive at their own 17 with 6:07 left in the game. With one minute left, Favre found Harvin in the end zone for an apparent touchdown, but the replay clearly showed the receiver had just one foot in bounds and the play was overturned.

The Vikings reached the Packer 20, but Favre threw two incomplete passes intended for Moss and the Packers took over with 20 seconds left in the game. Rodgers kneeled on the ball and the Packers had their revenge win.

Packers Get Revenge on Brett Favre: The Aftermath

Rodgers finished the game with 295 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions which was atypical for Rodgers. Favre was just 16-of-29 for 212 yards and one score. The Packers picked him off three times. Jones led all Packers receivers with 107 yards on four catches.

One big difference in this game was the Packers pass protection. The previous year, the Vikings sacked Packers quarterbacks 14 times in two games. In this game, Rodgers wasn’t sacked at all.

“The fact that Aaron wasn’t sacked today, that’s priority number one for an offensive lineman,” tackle Chad Clifton said. “So, we’re definitely proud of that.”

Rodgers was thrilled with the win. “Our biggest rival and the close score, the way it ended, it was definitely a special night for us,” he said. “It’s huge. It’s a great night. The crowd was electric, we needed this win. It’s a long season, but we had to have this one.”

The Packers went on to qualify for the playoffs and win the Super Bowl over the Pittsburgh Steelers that season. The Vikings to a 6-10 record including another loss to the Packers in what would be Favre’s final NFL season.

 

 

 

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