March 31, 2013

MVP Profile: Brett Favre, 1996

Quarterback, Green Bay Packers



Age:  27 (Oct. 10)
6th season in pro football, 5th with Packers
College: Southern Mississippi
Height: 6’2”   Weight: 220

Prelude:
Chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft, Favre saw scant action in Atlanta before being traded to Green Bay after one year. There was no question as to the young quarterback having outstanding tools, in particular a strong passing arm, but with new Head Coach Mike Holmgren looking to operate the West Coast offense, he was viewed as a raw talent with questionable maturity who would back up veteran Don Majkowski. However, Majkowski was injured early in the season and Favre nearly led the Packers to the postseason as he passed for 3227 yards and 18 TDs with a 64.1 completion percentage and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He also displayed toughness, playing the last seven games with a separated left shoulder. There were growing pains in ’93 as Favre, a natural improviser, bridled at Holmgren’s efforts at making him more disciplined. He led the NFL by throwing 24 interceptions, but Green Bay made it to the postseason and Favre was again named to the Pro Bowl. While he wasn’t selected in ’94, his numbers improved to 3882 yards passing with 33 TDs against 14 interceptions. In 1995 Favre led the league in passing yards (4413), TD passes (38), and TD percentage (6.7) and was not only selected to the Pro Bowl but was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection and received MVP recognition.

1996 Season Summary
Appeared and started in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing
Attempts – 543 [5]
Most attempts, game – 61 vs. San Francisco 10/14
Completions – 325 [3, tied with Vinny Testaverde]
Most completions, game – 28 vs. San Francisco 10/14
Yards – 3899 [4, 1st in NFC]
Most yards, game – 395 vs. San Francisco 10/14
Completion percentage – 59.9 [9]
Yards per attempt – 7.2 [10]
TD passes – 39 [1]
Most TD passes, game – 4 on five occasions
Interceptions – 13 [17, tied with four others]
Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. San Francisco 10/14, at St. Louis 11/24, vs. Denver 12/8
Passer rating – 95.8 [2]
300-yard passing games – 2
200-yard passing games – 12

Rushing
Attempts – 49
Most attempts, game - 7 (for 2 yds.) vs. Tampa Bay 10/27
Yards – 136
Most yards, game – 25 yards (on 2 carries) at Minnesota 9/22
Yards per attempt – 2.8
TDs – 2

Scoring
TDs – 2
Points - 12

Postseason: 3 G
Pass attempts – 71
Most attempts, game - 29 vs. Carolina, NFC Championship
Pass completions – 44
Most completions, game - 19 vs. Carolina, NFC Championship
Passing yardage – 617
Most yards, game - 292 vs. Carolina, NFC Championship
TD passes – 5
Most TD passes, game - 2 vs. Carolina, NFC Championship, vs. New England, Super Bowl
Interceptions – 1
Most interceptions, game - 1 vs. Carolina, NFC Championship

Rushing attempts – 14
Most rushing attempts, game - 5 vs. San Francisco, NFC Divisional playoff, vs. Carolina, NFC Championship
Rushing yards – 35
Most rushing yards, game - 14 vs. Carolina, NFC Championship
Average gain rushing – 2.5
Rushing TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: AP, PFWA, NEA, Bert Bell Award, Sporting News
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
1st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Packers went 13-3 to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the NFL in scoring (456 points) and touchdowns (56). Won NFC Divisional playoff over San Francisco 49ers (35-14), NFC Championship over Carolina Panthers (30-13), and Super Bowl over New England Patriots (35-21).

Aftermath:
Favre earned MVP honors for a third straight year in 1997 and the Packers were NFC Champions again. He led the NFL in touchdown passes (35) and was a consensus first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as well. He played through many injuries over the ensuing years to put together a string of 297 consecutive starts that finally ended in 2010. Along the way he had six 4000-yard passing seasons and reached 3000 in 18 years. He also threw 30 or more TD passes nine times. After initially retiring from the Packers in 2007, Favre made a comeback that led to an acrimonious departure from Green Bay and he played with the New York Jets in 2008. A season that started promisingly with the Jets proved disappointing and Favre led the league by tossing 22 interceptions. Again calling it quits, he was lured back by the Minnesota Vikings, finishing up with two seasons there. Overall, Favre left as the all-time NFL leader in pass attempts (10,169), completions (6300), yards (71,838), TD passes (508), and, on the downside, interceptions (336).

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). 

[Updated 2/4/14]
[Updated 11/29/14]

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