Brett Favre Retires: Why the Green Bay Packers Will Win the NFC North

According to reports, quarterback Brett Favre has declared his plans to retire for the third time in his 19-year career. 

Favre spent the past season starting for the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to a 12-4 record. At the age of 40, he had arguably his best statistical year, throwing for 33 TD and 4,202 yards. 

The team signed Favre with the belief that he would be the final piece to the puzzle and would take their Super Bowl caliber squad to the big game. Unfortunately, his supposed final pass in the NFL was an interception to Tracy Porter that ended the Vikings' aspirations. 

Now he has once again stuck a dagger in their hopes and dreams.

Even with the three-time MVP in the mix, I felt the division-rival Green Bay Packers would be breathing down their necks in the NFC North race.

If he does retire, I firmly believe the Vikings are out of that race. 

Last season we were all witnesses to Favre's mystical effect. His quick decision making skills helped the offensive line surrender nine fewer sacks than the season before; he helped develop Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Berrian into dynamic play makers and he was an integral key to their success. 

Tavaris Jackson, who's posted a career passer rating of 77.9, is now set to take over the starting role in Minnesota. Sure he's won 10 games for them before and stated that Favre has helped him grow as a player, but he still hasn't proven to be a legitimate franchise quarterback and won't have the same impact as Favre did. 

Therefore, in my mind, Brett Favre's retirement gives his old team, the Green Bay Packers, the golden key to the division. 

The Vikings already had their share of issues to deal with as Adrian Peterson proved his fumbling issues could prevent him from being the dependable force down the stretch.

Moreover, they have pressing voids in the secondary that have yet to be filled, and adding the quarterback situation to the list would be a major setback.

Meanwhile, the Packers have no major holes on their roster. On offense, they have a franchise quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, a plethora of receivers, a solid running back, and a revamped offensive line. Their defense is also one of the league's best, ranking second in overall yards allowed. 

Furthermore, a primary reason the Vikings beat the Packers in their two battles last season was due to the fact that Favre threw for 515 yards and seven TD. Without him I expect the outcome to be much different. 

That said, barring any major setbacks, I expect the Packers to claim the division crown and possibly be potential Super Bowl contenders. 

Of course, we don't know for sure if this isn't merely another smoke screen in the prolonged Favre saga. If not, I wish Favre the best of luck moving forward with the remainder of his post-NFL life. He is, and always will be, one of my most admired athletes.