Packers QB Brett Favre left last night's game against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter with an injured right elbow and a separated left shoulder. Behind third-year "rookie" Aaron Rodgers, the Packers lost to a very good Dallas team—who took a one-game lead in the race for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
The Packers are 10-2, and lead the NFC North by four games. They are three games up on the NFC's other division leaders—the Seahawks in the West and the Buccaneers in the South.
If the Packers win one more game, they're pretty much a lock for the second seed in the postseason.
And they can—and should—do it without Favre.
Favre has started 249 straight regular-season games—and 269 total if you count the playoffs. He has passed Dan Marino in almost every meaningful statistical category. He has won three MVPs, and led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XXXI.
Now it’s time for him to take a break.
The Packers have 10 days off before facing the 3-8 Raiders at home, and then the 2-9 Rams on the road the next week. Both of those games are winnable with Rodgers at the helm.
Green Bay travels to Chicago after that, where the 5-6 Bears are fighting for their lives. Favre was 20-4 against the Bears before Lovie Smith took over. He's 2-5 since—including a loss in Week Five this year.
The Packers finish the regular season at home game against the fading 6-5 Lions.
Favre has hinted that he'll play at least one more year, but 2007 could be his last chance at another Lombardi Trophy. He has nothing left to prove in the regular season. There's no reason in the world he should risk his health in a meaningless game against the Raiders.
The smart move would be to let Rodgers play in the Oakland game. That would give Favre an extra week to heal, and a good boost of energy to finish out the final three games and lead the Pack into the playoffs.
Favre has done great things on and off the field. He has beaten every NFL team. He has beaten painkiller addiction. He has helped his wife beat breast cancer. He played one of the greatest games of his career the day after losing his father.
Let him bask in all that glory as he takes a week off against the Raiders—and prepares for what could be a great run to the Super Bowl.
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