Brett Favre Vs. Aaron Rodgers: Battle One

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

This was the first of two, and if we're lucky, there could be more.

True, Brett Favre turns 40 in a week, the very number that analysts and experts are afraid to say, weary of an old man's bone breaking mid-sentence, but at the same time can't help but blurt out with laughter.

That Favre is an old dude, and he can still sling it.

Even the Favre (and Packer) faithful found it interesting, that even at his new home, with Adrian Peterson backing him up, and a tenacious and relentless Jared Allen getting him the ball back, that Favre looked so good.

Flawless, if you will (and even if you won't).

Save for a called-back interception from one-yard away from the end zone, Favre made no mistakes. He exposed the Packers aging corners. You know, the ones who everyone tags "the best corner duo in the league".

And he helped destroy the Packers linebackers, forcing them to pile-up the tackles, while his receivers took slants further than they should have, and one of the for a score.

In the end, Favre was mostly sitting on the sidelines, pondering over whether or not this Rodgers kid had that "Favre magic" in him, while Brad Childress and co. played it safe, almost giving the game away.

But before that happened, we were being hand-delivered an epic battle. Between the young and the old. Between the praised and the forgotten. The king and the heir.

And while the heir (Rodgers, of course) performed remarkably well, especially considering the fact that his line gave up eight sacks, the king still prevailed.

He was in his new home, and despite very little help from his newest partner in crime (Peterson), Favre tossed three scores (and nearly a fourth), 271 yards, and completed over 77 percent of his passes.

After the game, even Favre admitted that he didn't expect "the passing offense" to play that well. And he down-played what it meant to beat Rodgers, Ted Thompson, and the rest of his former teammates.

But with tears, naturally blended with sadness and redemption, Favre finally looked like he was at peace.

At the same time, however, it was very clear that this truly wasn't about revenge. He just wanted to be on the same field as those Packers again. To be welcomed back into the league, wanted, and accepted.

Even before this game, though, he had accomplished that. And to all those fans or nay-sayers out there who are still clinging to those "40-year old", "washed-up", and "traitor" tag-lines, I will finally refrain from thwarting you off.

Go ahead. Make Favre's day.

After asked how it felt to be the only player in NFL history to defeat all 32 existing teams, Favre responded, "Well, you have to be remembered for something."

Something tells me being remembered will be the least of his worries.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?