Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers

Brett Favre deserves a first ballot pass into Pro Footballs Hall of Fame, and he'll get it. Chances are Favre will hold the record for the number of touchdowns, pass attempts, yards, completions and of course interceptions. (That is, until Peyton Manning breaks most of them.)

Ironically, articles by some sports prognosticators talk about Aaron Rodgers surpassing Brett Favre's statistics. The article, "Great Debate: Can Rodgers Overtake Favre?" mentions that possibility. The article points out Rodgers first two years resulted in over 8000 passing yards, which is a first in the NFL.

However, here are some of Favre's statistics.

Brett Favre

Brett Favre is 40 years old, started 285 consecutive games, and beginning his 20^th season. Over the past 19 seasons, he's completed 62 percent of his passes, 6083 completions out of 9812 attempts. He's thrown for 69,329 yards, 497 touchdowns and 317 interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers Task

If Favre were to retire now and not add to those statistics, here's what Rodgers must do to match them. Including his impressive first two years, and based on playing 16 games every year, Rodgers has to throw 4000 yards every year for more than the next 15 seasons, to match Favre's yardage record. Rodgers threw for 30 touchdowns in 2009, and he'd have to average that for the next 14 years to match Favre's touchdown production. Finally, he'd have to complete 350 passes per year for the next 15 seasons, to match Favre's number of completions. Those are daunting tasks.

Not to take anything away from Favre's talent, but one of the reason he's compiled those figures is his consecutive game streak. Can Rodgers have a consecutive game record that compares with Favre? He's started 32 consecutive games in his first two seasons, but that's a long ways from where Favre is. Realistically, no one may ever surpass Favre's streak.

Summary

Putting statistics aside; though, it's conceivable Rodgers may become a more valuable quarterback than Favre. So far, he's playing more of a thinking mans game. He attacks, but not recklessly. In his first two years, Rodgers threw 58 touchdown passes, and 20 interceptions. Favre was 37 and 37, after his first two years. Rodgers may never match Favre's statistics, but if he's judged on his won and lost percentage, and championships, Favre may have competition.

NFC North Blog: Can Rodgers Overtake Favre?