Brett Favre Breaks Record for Most Wins By 40-Plus Quarterback

I'll admit, I was wrong. During the offseason, I wrote here at FanHouse that the Vikings' pursuit of Brett Favre was foolhardy. Between his age and the poor finish to his 2008 season in New York, it seemed too risky to put the Vikings' season in the hands of a 40-year-old quarterback.

Brad Childress' gamble has paid off big-time. Favre is one of the key reasons that Minnesota is battling New Orleans for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, and he is the reason Childress is talking contract extension instead of worrying about his job security.

Obviously, Brett Favre isn't the average 40-year-old quarterback. He's having the best season a 40-year-old QB has ever had in the NFL and it's not even close.

In NFL history, there have only been 13 seasons where a quarterback 40 or older has thrown 100 attempts. Among those, Favre's 2009 season stands out as easily the best ever.

Just nine games into the season, Favre already has won more games this season than any 40-year-old has ever won (he's got two more than Warren Moon's seven wins in 1997). His 17 touchdowns are tied for the second most for a quarterback 40 years or older (and he'll catch Moon's record of 25 shortly). But most importantly, barring a collapse that would set records, he'll become the first starting quarterback to lead a team to the playoffs after his 40th birthday.

And considering how we'll he's playing, it's hard to believe he couldn't play as a 41-year-old as well, which means we're likely looking at another offseason of wall-to-wall coverage of Favre's will-he-or-won't-he waffling. While most NFL fans may cringe at the idea of another offseason of Rachel Nichols reporting daily from Mississippi, Vikings fans won't complain.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-16-2009 @ 9:37AM

carlastar26 said...

Best QB to play the game. I am a Colts fan but love and respect this guy so much that if he goes to the Super Bowl I'll be rooting for him!! Go Brett Go

11-16-2009 @ 9:53AM

leoganz said...

Hey where did all the Favre haters go? LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11-16-2009 @ 10:35AM

Holly said...

I am a life long Vikings fan, and have to admit I did not like the idea of Favre playing with my team.
Now I am glad he is on our side and hope to see my team finally get somewhere!!

Thanks Brett!

11-16-2009 @ 10:59AM

ANTON said...

Yeah, with the team the Vikes have he can play another year or two. The Vikes signed him for two years anyway. But I would bet the farm that if he wins a superbowl this year he will go out on a high note and retire for good. Barring any melt down like the Vikings losing 6 of the next 7 and GB winning 6 of the next 7 Favre and the Vikes are already in the playoffs. The way they are playing and the remaining schedule they have it looks doubtful that they will lose many more games. I see a 13-3 season, maybe a 14-2, maybe.

11-19-2009 @ 1:19PM

Adam H said...

He only has 4 wins as a 40 year old. Even though he'll probably break that record this season, he hasn't yet. His 40th birthday was on October 10th and since then he's played 5 games and lost 1 to the Steelers which would make 4 wins.

11-16-2009 @ 1:38PM

Hopechy said...

Brett is one of last players from the old school. Good ole smash mouth football. Playing for the love of the game not just for the money and ego. Contrary to what Fran Tarkenton thinks, "Brett Farve #4 is a VIKING" The PACK is in the BACK.

11-16-2009 @ 2:41PM

heimbachmark said...

For the love of the game not the money and ego??? You've got it backwards. He is all about himself and always has been. The Vikings will be 0 and 5 if they make it to the SB, which they probably won't and good old Brett will bolt and try and play for someone else next year. Patterns never change. Talk to me after the playoffs when the ViQueens are asking what went wrong??? We had Brett??? What a bum!!! Wait till next year. Yea Yea Yea.

11-16-2009 @ 3:23PM

angryguy77 said...

Yes he will leave and go to the many other teams that are stacked but dont have a qb. Get serious. I know your mad because he's proving all of you haters wrong and they are going to make a strong push for the sb. i'm not crowning them, but the viKINGS have just a good of a shot as anyone right now. Do you really think that NO d will shut the viks o down? Doubt it. Had it not been for taylor missing an easy catch they would be undefeated like no and indi. And he is the thing, they havn't peaked yet. Not only is he playing great he will finish no less than second in mvp votes this year.

Hat all you want, but he is making all you assclown haters look dumb

11-16-2009 @ 4:02PM

imshortyk said...

Lol, people like Heim are still around? I thought they all shriveled up and died in their closets. But, whatever. I never once hated Brett for his so called "prima-donna, All-about-me" antics. The dude just wanted to play but the Packers didn't want him. Simple as that. He showed them they made a mistake. Twice.

The only reason he holds out in the offseason is because he doesn't want to do mini-camp and such, which I really don't care about. He obviously doesn't need it, lol.

So just get over it. The Vikings will finish with 13 wins and most likely make it to the NFC Championship, barring a crazy 2009 version of the Cardinals ripping through everyone.

11-17-2009 @ 5:58PM

dbbc4 said...

Sounds like a true lions fan or no wait a raiders fan.lol

11-18-2009 @ 11:22AM

Jealousy is a terrible thing. Vikes got him and they're on fire. BRETT'S on fire, and MM & TT should be FIRED for letting the best qb go. Shame on them. Go Brett Go.!!

11-17-2009 @ 4:29PM

Leftyfixit said...

You Cheese heads need to get over it. Thumper(aka AAron Rogers), is still trying to get his face out of the grass. Brett is playing a great season and He is All about the team. Green Bay's best hope is to have a winning season. win or lose the Vikings Are the Best team in the NFC North!!!

11-17-2009 @ 9:56PM

RUSH1LIMBAUGH said...

'Simply put.....He's "IRON MAN" BRETT.'

zamboman48 said...

I would agree that Bret is having a great year. The one thing everyone is forgetting. The last 5 years he has folded at this time of year,and expect that he will do the same thing this year. And if by chance they do make it all the way (which I doubt) he will fold in the final game. That you can count on!!

11-17-2009 @ 10:09PM

VikingsObserver said...

ahhhhhhh, zamboman48?? I believe it's time for you to take your meds right NOW before you embarrass yourself anymore. LMAO. Doc warned you before about this....LOL.

11-18-2009 @ 4:57PM

arlams said...

I am a big Brett fan, (USM fan), If the Vikes get to the championship game against the Saints I will be conflicted... but will have to go with the Saints! i just hope they play it in New Orleans! It is a great time to be a football fan from the deep south!