5. 2004 NFC Wild Card vs. Vikings
Technically, this shouldn't count because the play (at 2:11) was called back due to the fact that he was beyond the line of scrimmage and he actually completed it to his own team. However, this play defines the media's verbal french-kissing session with the Wrangler QB for the last 5 years. Whereas Eli Manning or Jay Cutler will get crucified for, when the Silver Fox makes these plays, you'll hear the following:
"There he is, playing like a kid in the backyard!"
"He's playing with reckless abandon! What a warrior!"
"He's just having fun out there! He'd play the game for free!"
"He's having painkiller withdrawls!"
Ok, I made that last one up, but you get the idea. Thanks to Randy Moss' pantomime-shit in the end zone later in the game, this stunt largely went unchecked.
4. 2001 NFC Divisional Playoff vs. Rams
The Ol' Gunslinger ties a playoff record with 6 INT's in a 45-17 loss to The Greatest Show On Turf. You can excuse a couple of these because the Pack were in such a huge hole and he had to throw; Not to mention, even if Favre has a perfect game that day, it may not have been good enough against that Rams squad. But it's hard to leave a 6 INT playoff game off this list.
3. 2007 NFC Championship Game vs. Giants
Favre's 2007 season was supposed to be one of the best farewells in sports history. After a disastorous '05 season and an average '06, it appeared he one left in the chamber as he came back with one of his best seasons. With the help of the newly discovered Ryan Grant, the Packers went 13-3 as Favre threw for 28 TD's. His apparent blaze of glory into the sunset even caused his on-again/off-again boyfriend, Peter King, to be the only writer who did not vote for the record-setting Tom Brady as MVP that year.
On it went to the playoffs, and the Pack blew out Seattle in the Divisional round, providing us with another signature moment with his underhand TD pass to Donald Lee. He started off the bone-chilling NFC Title game with a 90-yard strike to Donald Driver. After Lawrence Tynes shanked a potential game-ending FG to end regulation, Favre was picked off by Corey Webster in his own end of the field and this time, Tynes converted as the Giants would go on to pull off the upset of upsets. Sadly, it seemed as if the final play of Favre's career would be one that cost his team their season. Stop me if you've seen this movie.
2. 2003 NFC Divisional Playoff vs. Eagles
This is was about the time where the media's love affair went to the next level. Credit where it's due, in Week 16, less than a day after Favre lost his father in a tragic car accident, went out on Monday Night Football and threw for 4 TD's and 399 yards as the Packers smoked Oakland 41-7 in one of the most inspirational performances of my lifetime. In the season's final week, they would run past Denver and with Minnesota leading 4-12 Arizona 17-6, it seemed all was lost....until:
SIDE NOTE: As awesome as Paul Allen and his partner's call was Sunday night, this still takes the crown.
The Packers won the Wild Card game the next week against Seattle 33-27 in OT on an Al Harris pick 6 moments after Matt Hasselbeck's infamous "We want the ball and we're gonna score!" prediction and you couldn't but help to start to wonder if there were higher powers at work.
Green Bay led 17-14 with just a over minute to go when Donovan McNabb converted 4th and 26 to Freddie Mitchell, leading to a David Akers FG with :07 left to force OT. On Green Bay's first possession and approaching midfield, Favre launched a fly ball (at 3:04 in the first video of the segment)that even Manny Ramirez would've fielded without issue. With no Packer receivers in the vincity, Brian Dawkins picked it off as millions around the country watched and said "What the hell is he trying to do?" It's a signature "I'm Brett Favre, I can make this throw" that became a staple during his final years in Lambeau.
1. 2009 NFC Championship Game vs. Saints
I'm not a fan of being caught up in instant history, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a more egregious brain-lock in a brain game. Many (including yours truly) had put Favre on blast for another summer of "Will I or won't I?" and that he was washed up, but we've all had to eat crow. Bad ending or not, the man still has it.
He played within the system, excelled beyond belief and most importantly, was not making the classic Favre mistakes. But much like a troubled teenager, just when you think they've finally made that turn in their life, you find that ain't shit changed.
In my opinion, this is one of the dumbest decisions in the history of sports. You have one of the best 50+yard kickers in the history of the game in your back pocket and you're gonna try to be the hero? We shouldn't be shocked that he did that but I'm just amazed that the lone mistake he made this season came at the worst possible moment.
Favre is a first ballot hall of famer and he's one of the best to ever play the position, but his final pass for the Packers, Jets and Vikings were all season-crushing picks and that is as much a part of his legacy as the ring and records are.
