Brett Favre Dominated The Bears-But One Stat Stands Out
Brett Favre vs Bears Stats Reveal a Wild Pattern
Brett Favre posted a 22-10 record against the Chicago Bears with 8,606 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, 42 interceptions, and an 85.6 passer rating across 36 career games. His most explosive performance came on December 5, 1993, when he threw for a career-high 402 yards and 5 touchdowns against Chicago in a 35-28 loss at Lambeau Field. Favre's dominance was especially pronounced during his mid-1990s run, where he won 10 consecutive games against the Bears from 1994 to 1998.
Career Totals: Brett Favre vs Chicago Bears
The statistical portrait of Favre's Bears career reveals one of the most sustained quarterback advantages in NFC North history. Over his 16 seasons with Green Bay (1992-2007) plus his two seasons with Minnesota (2008-2009), Favre faced Chicago nearly annually, accumulating elite numbers that rank among his best against any single franchise.
- Total Games: 36 (32 with Packers, 4 with Vikings)
- Win-Loss Record: 22-10 overall (22-10 with Packers, 0-0 with Vikings in regular season)
- Completions: 745 on 1,104 attempts (67.5% completion rate)
- Passing Yards: 8,606 yards (239.1 yards per game)
- Touchdowns: 60 TD passes (1.67 per game)
- Interceptions: 42 picks (1.17 per game)
- Passer Rating: 85.6 career rating vs Bears
- Longest Pass: 99 yards ( career high vs Chicago on 12/5/1993)
This consistent offensive output against Chicago's often-solid defenses demonstrates Favre's ability to exploit mismatches week after week. The 60 touchdown passes represent one of his highest TD totals against any single NFL franchise in his career.
Game-by-Game Breakdown: Key Matchups
Understanding Favre's game symptoms requires examining his most memorable performances against Chicago, which reveal patterns of both brilliance and occasional vulnerability.
- October 25, 1992 - Favre's debut vs Bears at Lambeau Field: 20-37, 214 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (Loss 30-10)
- November 22, 1992 - First win vs Chicago at Soldier Field: 16-24, 209 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT (Win 17-3)
- October 31, 1993 - Halloween game at Lambeau: 15-24, 136 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (Win 17-3)
- December 5, 1993 - Career-high 402 yards, 5 TDs (despite 3 INTs): 36-54, 402 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT (Loss 30-17)
- October 31, 1994 - Monday Night Football in monsoon: 6-15, 82 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT (Win 33-6)
- November 12, 1995 - Playing through sprained ankle, 5 TDs: 35-28 win at Soldier Field
- January 1, 2007 - Final Packers game vs Bears: Strong performance in regular season finale
The December 1993 monsoon game remains the defining moment of Favre's Bears legacy, where he threw for 402 yards and 5 touchdowns despite the Packers ultimately losing 30-17. This single game accounts for nearly 5% of his total touchdowns against Chicago.
Detailed Statistical Comparison Table
| Metric | Favre vs Bears | Favre Career Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 36 | 297 | 12.1% of career |
| Win Percentage | 68.8% (22-10) | 63.4% (186-112-1) | +5.4% |
| Yards Per Game | 239.1 | 240.5 | -1.4 |
| TD Per Game | 1.67 | 1.84 | -0.17 |
| INT Per Game | 1.17 | 1.09 | +0.08 |
| Passer Rating | 85.6 | 86.0 | -0.4 |
| Completion % | 67.5% | 64.7% | +2.8% |
This statistical comparison reveals that Favre performed roughly at his career average against Chicago, with slightly higher completion percentage but also slightly more interceptions. The 68.8% win rate significantly exceeds his career win percentage, confirming his success against this specific opponents.
The 10-Game Winning Streak Pattern
Perhaps the most wild pattern revealed in Favre's stats is his dominant 10-game winning streak against Chicago from 1994 to 1998. During this stretch, the Packers won every single meeting, including two playoff-adjacent games in late-season matchups.
Favre began his career against Chicago with a modest 2-2 record in his first two seasons. However, from 1994 onward, he went on an unprecedented run that included:
- 7 consecutive wins from 2000-2003
- 10 consecutive wins from 1994-1998
- 20-4 record against Chicago by end of 2003 season
This decade of dominance fundamentally shifted the Packers-Bears rivalry, which had previously favored Chicago for decades. Before Favre's arrival in 1992, the Bears led the all-time series 57-80-6.
Lovie Smith Era: Favre's Late-Career Struggles
When Lovie Smith became Bears coach in 2004, Favre's performance against Chicago noticeably declined. By the end of Favre's career, his record against Chicago in Smith's era dropped to 6-2 in his final four seasons.
ESPN's statistical analysis showed that Favre's passer rating against Smith's Bears defense fell below his career average, with increased pressure and tighter coverage limiting his previously dominant numbers. This coaching matchup shift explains part of the variance in Favre's final years against Chicago.
Playoff Performance vs Bears
Including playoffs, the Packers hold a 49-15 record vs Bears since Favre's 1992 arrival, with Favre starting the vast majority of those games. While specific playoff stats against Chicago are limited (they met in playoffs a handful of times), Favre's overall playoff success against NFC North opponents was exceptional.
The 106-95-6 all-time series now favors Packers, representing a 35-game turnaround in just 33 years largely due to Favre and later Aaron Rodgers.
The Legacy: Why These Stats Matter
The Favre-Bears rivalry represents one of QB vs franchise dominance stories in NFL history, with Favre's 60 TDs and 8,606 yards establishing him as Chicago's nemesis for a generation. His ability to post career highs in completions (36), yards (402), and touchdowns (5) all against the same team in a single game remains remarkable.
When combined with Aaron Rodgers' 25-5 record against Chicago, the QB dynasty era transformed the Packers-Bears rivalry completely, swinging the all-time series from a 57-game Bears lead to a Packers advantage. Favre's 22-10 record laid the foundation for this transformation.
The statistical pattern emerging from 36 games shows consistency: Favre never faced Chicago with less than competent production, and his 10-game winning streak remains one of the longest single-QB streaks against any NFC North team.
"Favre's ability to exploit Chicago's defense week after week, including career highs in yards and touchdowns against them, reveals why he remains one of the most successful quarterbacks in Bears history - for the opposing team"
In total, Brett Favre's 8,606 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 22-10 record against Chicago represent a masterclass in sustained quarterback excellence against a historic franchise. The wild pattern? His consistency - posting near-career-average numbers while winning nearly 70% of meetings.
Key concerns and solutions for Brett Favre Dominated The Bears But One Stat Stands Out
How many touchdowns did Brett Favre throw against the Bears?
Brett Favre threw 60 touchdown passes against the Chicago Bears across his 36-game career, averaging 1.67 TDs per game.
What is Brett Favre's record against the Chicago Bears?
Favre's record against the Bears is 22-10 overall (68.8% win rate), with 22 wins and 10 losses primarily during his Packers tenure from 1992-2007.
What were Brett Favre's stats in his best game vs Bears?
Favre's best game came on December 5, 1993, when he completed 36 of 54 passes for 402 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in a 35-28 loss at Lambeau Field.
Did Brett Favre ever play against the Bears with the Vikings?
Yes, Favre played 4 games against the Bears with Minnesota in 2008-2009, though his overall 22-10 record primarily reflects his Packers years.
What was Brett Favre's passer rating vs Bears?
Favre posted an 85.6 passer rating against Chicago, slightly below his career average of 86.0 but still elite.
How many consecutive games did Favre win against the Bears?
Favre won 10 consecutive games against the Bears from 1994 to 1998, plus a separate 7-game streak from 2000-2003.