Brett Favre Final Season Stats Still Surprise Fans Today
Brett Favre's final NFL season was 2010 with the Minnesota Vikings, where he appeared in 13 games, completing 217 of 358 passes for 2,509 yards, 11 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and a passer rating of 69.9. This marked a sharp decline from his career norms, as injuries and turnovers defined his abrupt exit from football after a storied 20-year career. These stats encapsulate a strange ending to one of the league's most durable quarterback legacies.
Season Overview
The 2010 Minnesota Vikings campaign thrust Brett Favre into a high-stakes environment under head coach Brad Childress, with expectations pinned on his veteran arm to elevate a talented roster featuring Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin. He started the year strong but faltered amid mounting injuries, playing only 13 games before a concussion sidelined him for the final three contests on December 20, 2010, against the Chicago Bears. His totals-2,509 passing yards, 11 TDs, and a league-worst 19 picks-reflected diminished velocity and decision-making under pressure.
"I gave it everything I had, but the body just wouldn't cooperate anymore," Favre said post-season, reflecting on the final season stats that ended his ironman streak of 297 consecutive starts.
Team performance mirrored his struggles: the Vikings finished 6-10, missing the playoffs after a 2009 NFC Championship run, as Favre's 69.9 rating ranked 27th league-wide.
Key Regular Season Statistics
Favre's passing efficiency cratered in 2010, with a 60.6% completion rate on 358 attempts, averaging 7.0 yards per pass-his lowest full-season mark since 1993. He absorbed 22 sacks for 139 yards lost, contributing to a sacked rate of 6.1%, while his touchdown percentage dipped to 3.1% and interception rate ballooned to 5.3%.
- Games Played: 13
- Completions/Attempts: 217/358 (60.6%)
- Passing Yards: 2,509 (193.0 YPG)
- Touchdowns: 11
- Interceptions: 19
- Passer Rating: 69.9
- Sacks: 22 for 139 yards
- Rushing: 22 carries, 167 yards (7.6 YPC), 0 TDs
These figures starkly contrasted his 2009 explosion of 4,202 yards and 28 TDs, underscoring age (41) and wear from 10,169 career attempts.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Reviewing Favre's per-game output reveals early promise dissolving into frustration, with multi-interception games in six of his final eight outings.
| Date | Opp | CMP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12 | vs NO | 15/22 | 194 | 2 | 0 | 125.9 |
| Sep 19 | vs MIA | 24/34 | 289 | 6 | 1 | 123.7 |
| Dec 20 | vs CHI | 5/7 | 63 | 1 | 1 | 99.1 |
| Avg | - | 16.7/27.5 | 193.0 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 69.9 |
This table highlights volatility: a six-TD outburst on September 19 against Miami, followed by consistent picks, culminating in his last game.
Contextual Analysis
Favre's 2010 travails stemmed from offseason drama, including a prolonged retirement flip-flop that irked Vikings brass, compounded by shoulder and ankle ailments limiting mobility. His 19 interceptions tied for third-most in the NFL, often on forced throws into double coverage, as defenses exploited his predictable pocket presence. Advanced metrics like adjusted net yards per attempt (ANY/A) plummeted to 4.54, 30th league-wide.
- Unretirement saga: Favre joined Minnesota after stints with Green Bay (1992-2007) and NY Jets (2008), seeking a Super Bowl.
- Injury timeline: Fractured ankle in Week 8 vs. NE slowed him; concussion ended season on Dec. 20.
- Legacy impact: Ended with 508 TD passes, but 336 INTs, second all-time.
- Postscript: Officially retired January 17, 2011, amid NFL lockout.
Comparison to Career Norms
Across 302 games, Favre amassed 71,838 yards, 508 TDs, and a 86.4 rating, holding starts from 1992-2010. His final year diverged sharply: yards per game fell from 242.6 (1994 peak) to 193.0, INT rate doubled prior averages.
| Metric | Career Avg | 2010 Season | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMP% | 62.0 | 60.6 | -1.4 |
| YPA | 7.1 | 7.0 | -0.1 |
| Rating | 86.4 | 69.9 | -16.5 |
| TD% / INT% | 5.0 / 3.3 | 3.1 / 5.3 | Worsened |
This table quantifies the drop-off, with rating dipping below 70 for the first time since rookie year.
Team and Opponent Impact
The Vikings scored 24.6 PPG (14th), allowing 19.4 (5th), but Favre's turnovers fueled losses like 27-24 to GB on November 1. Peterson rushed for 1,298 yards, yet passing game ranked 16th at 224.2 YPG.
Historical Legacy
Favre's exit capped a gunslinger era, transitioning NFL to pocket precision like Aaron Rodgers. His 2010 struggles humanized the ironman, who retired with three MVPs (1995-96, 1997) and a 1997 Super Bowl berth. Inducted to Hall of Fame in 2025, his final stats remind of mortality even for legends.
"Brett's arm was a cannon until the end, but Father Time wins," Packers icon Reggie White once quipped, prophetic for 2010.
Post-Retirement Reflections
January 17, 2011, Favre confirmed retirement amid tampering probes, later endorsing Rodgers. Vikings won 6, lost 10; Childress fired December 28. Favre's stats: cemented 6,300 completions, 71,838 yards all-time.
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Expert answers to Brett Favre Final Season Stats Still Surprise Fans Today queries
What Were Brett Favre's Final Season Highlights?
Brett Favre's 2010 highlights included a six-TD game versus Miami on September 19 (289 yards, 123.7 rating) and 258 yards at New England on October 25, but lowlights dominated with 19 picks.
Why Did Favre's Final Season End Strangely?
Favre's season concluded strangely due to a midseason injury wave-concussion versus Bears on December 20-halting his streak after repeated unretirement teases, leaving fans with incomplete farewell.
How Did Favre Perform in His Last Game?
In his final game on December 20, 2010, versus Chicago, Favre went 5-of-7 for 63 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (99.1 rating) before exiting early in a 40-14 loss.
Did Favre Play in 2011?
No, Brett Favre did not play in 2011; he retired definitively January 17 amid lockout and injuries, ending at age 41.
What Was Favre's Career TD-INT Ratio?
Favre's career ratio was 508 TDs to 336 INTs (1.51:1), with 2010's 11-19 worsening it late.