Five Reasons Brett Favre's 2008 Season Wasn't a Mistake

There was mystery circling around the entire league as opening day fell upon us, but arguably none more than in the AFC East.

Favre extended the already large amount of New York optimism by starting the game off with a 56-yard bomb to Jerricho Cotchery, and then tossed up another score to Chansi Stuckey later in the game on a fourth down play.

Analysts were calling the first play "vintage-Favre" and the fourth down heave "lucky". Others couldn't tell the difference.

Regardless, the Jets opened up the season with a win over their former quarterback, Chad Pennington, and Favre had the Big Apple behind him in full support.

While it may have been reminiscent of Favre's 4-12 Green Bay team at times, he played with a torn ligament in his arm and tried to lead the Jets back to the playoffs.

Favre threw nine interceptions and just two touchdowns over the final five weeks, while the Jets were in a free fall during a 1-4 stretch.

The team as a whole played terrible on the West Coast, but Favre's efforts weren't really much of a help.

Still, Favre gave them a better chance than any of New York's backups could have done. In the NFL, losses and wins require a full team effort.

We can remember this slide and these poor performances as Favre failing, or Favre doing what he always did—play hurt and try to win.

After 18 seasons, it seemed there was nothing Favre could do that he hadn't already done.

Up until the Arizona Cardinals game, he held all of Green Bay's major records, as well as many of the leagues.

However, throwing six touchdowns in a game is something he (along with many of the greats) had never done.

Favre quickly developed chemistry (at least for one game) with his receivers, and put new life into the league, when he tossed three scores to Laveranues Coles, two to Jerricho Cotchery, and the last to rookie tight end, Dustin Keller.

Experts would later suggest the Jets should have played all 16 games in their vintage uniforms. Considering the offense torched the Cardinals for 56 points that day, they might have been right.

A win over the Titans solidified the Jets as a legitimate threat for the post season, and even sparked Super Bowl talk.

Favre was on top of his game for the second week in a row in another huge game, as he threw for 224 yards and another two scores.

Favre was virtually flawless as he led his team to a lead as big as 27-6 over one of the league's best defenses.

The Jets eventually won 34-13.

Two straight big-time games from Favre added more to his legacy than many are willing to admit, and it made the NFL more exciting in 2008.

Favre brought the Jets from average to AFC East contenders in one game, as he put together arguably his best performance of the season.

In his 42nd career victory after trailing or being tied, Favre led his offense 64 yards down the field in 14 plays, setting up a 34-yard game-winning field goal.

This was a huge game for Favre, as he tossed two touchdowns and 258 yards in a thrilling victory, that lucky or not, made him immortal for at least one more game.

This victory showed Favre could still hang with the elite, and proved his return to the league for one more year was not a mistake.

Whether you think of him as a Packer, a Jet, or don't think of him at all, it's hard to ignore what Favre has given both of these teams, as well as the entire league.

Favre's mere presence forces defenses to be honest and respect the passing game, while his interviews make for good sound bytes.

If Favre truly is gone for good, we should be grateful for what games we did have to see him play last season, and we should also welcome him back if he decides to change his mind again.

It's arguable whether his skills have diminished, but what isn't up for debate is how much the league is better with him as a player.

So, for the league, for your team, for Brett, say it with me, "One more year!"

Or just appreciate him.