With the NFL offseason slowing to a halt, aside from the random outlet submitting their 19th version of an Aaron Rodgers to Denver trade, I decided to switch it up for a bit. Every Friday we will be taking a look back at a prominent year in Packers history. Too start, let’s take a look at Brett Favre’s first MVP season.

It was clear that the Packers had found something by trading for Favre years prior, but the 1995-96 campaign proved what they found was a 24-Karat golden arm. Favre finished the season leading the league with 4,413 yards and 38 touchdowns and winning his first MVP. The 26-year-old at the time completed 63.0 percent of his passes and threw for 275.8 yards per game. The Packers finished 11-5, their best record in 30-plus years, by winning six of their last seven games. Led by Favre, the Packers scored 30-plus points in five of those six wins.

Robert Brooks was Favre’s favorite weapon, leading the team in targets (167), receptions (102) and yards (1497). He also had a 99-yard touchdown catch against the Bears in Chicago during a Week 2 win. Mark Chmura and Edgar Bennett each surpassed 50 receptions and 600 receiving yards during Favre’s first MVP season.

The MVP continued his exceptional play in the playoffs, leading the Packers past the Falcons in the Wild Card Round and the 49ers in the Divisional Round.

Top Performances

Week 7: Packers beat Lions 30-21

During a Week 7 win over the Lions, Favre threw for a season-high 342 yards and 2 touchdowns. His first touchdown was a seven-yard pass to Dorsey Levens in the second quarter. His second was a 12-yard pass to Robert Brooks in the third quarter that extended the Packers lead to 27-7.

Week 8: Packers beat Vikings 38-21

Favre built of the win against the Lions a week before, by slinging the rock for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Packers beat Divisional opponents in back-to-back weeks. Favre threw a touchdown in every quarter as the Packers never trailed in the game.

Week 11: Packers beat Bears 35-28

Favre diced up the Bears defense at Lambeau with 336 yards and a season-high 5 touchdowns. After falling behind 7-0, Robert Brooks and Edgar Bennett each caught a touchdown in the first quarter to claim a 14-7 lead. After falling behind again in the second half, the duo of Brooks and Bennett struck again as they both scored another touchdown to take a 35-28 lead.

——————

Kirien is a big fan of the Packers, Beer, and Battlestar Galactica. You can follow him on twitter at @KirienSprecher.

——————