Packers all-time scrimmage: Team Brett Favre vs. Team Aaron Rodgers
By Nick Olig
Special teams
Team Favre
Kicker – Ryan Longwell: In nine seasons, his field goal percentage was 81.6. He totaled 1,054 points.
Punter – Craig Hentrich: In his career he made two Pro Bowls, but none with Green Bay in four seasons, where he won a ring.
Returner – Desmond Howard: In 1996, he had three TDs returning punts; 1,335 return yards, and was named Super Bowl MVP over Brett Favre and Reggie White.
Team Rodgers
Kicker – Mason Crosby: 80.3 field goal percentage in 11 seasons. His 1,345 career points are unmatched.
Punter – Tim Masthay: While he does have a ring, he was never a Pro Bowler.
Returner – Micah Hyde: In four years, he took three punts back to the house, including two in 2014. Also versatile in the secondary.
Advantage
Kicker: Tie. Longwell was slightly more accurate, for now. Whereas Crosby has been more prolific. Call it even.
Punter: Team Favre. The thing is, nobody wants this hypothetical game to be decided by the punters.
Returner: Team Favre. Hyde was a valuable talent in Green Bay, but it would be sacrilegious to pick against Desmond Howard after his kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI.
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Overall Prediction: Team Favre. 28-27 sounds about right. While Rodgers is still the more accurate, elusive, better quarterback, Team Favre has a superior running game and pass rush.
It’s easy to be a prisoner of the moment, but remember, the last time the Packers appeared in consecutive Super Bowls was in 1996 and 1997, when Brett, Reggie, LeRoy, Free, and several other standouts were in their primes. The conclusion reached here isn’t permanent, though. It’s bound to change if #12 can add a Lombardi Trophy or two to his legacy.