I’ll admit that it’s awfully convenient to write a “Packers are better off with Aaron Rodgers” piece when Rodgers throws for 301 yards and four touchdowns while Brett Favre plays like elephant dung. But I’ve always felt that the Packers were unfairly criticized by some fans for the way Favre was ushered out of Green Bay and I’m not going to shy away from an opportunity to note that they handled things correctly in that situation.

Favre forced himself out of Green Bay – not the other way around. He told the Packers that he wanted to retire and when he started to change his mind, members of Green Bay’s front office met with him to say that they would welcome him back with open arms. It wasn’t until he told them for the second time that he would retire that they decided to back Rodgers and move on. He got his feelings hurt, requested a trade and after one bad season in New York, he’s now in Minnesota.

Well guess what? The Packers were better off then and they’re better off now.

I thought for sure that Sunday would be the day where we would see some of that old Favre magic and he would put it all together to beat his old team. But he stunk up the joint instead. He was inaccurate with his throws, he overthrew open receivers and he could be seen refusing to talk with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on the sidelines (which isn’t unlike Favre to take an it’s-my-way-or-the-highway approach with his coaches).

Rodgers, on the other hand, was brilliant. He started slow, but eventually he was shredding Minnesota’s suspect secondary. It helped that the Vikings’ pass rush was once again non-existent, but it didn’t matter. The Vikings weren’t going to beat Rodgers on Sunday. He was the best player on the field – for either team.

Had the Packers bowed to Favre a couple of years ago and allowed him to dictate their quarterback situation, maybe they would be the ones in complete disarray right now like the Vikings are. Maybe they’d be the ones sitting at 3-7 and without a clue on what they’ll do at quarterback next year.

Instead, they’re set at the position. Rodgers has yet to win a Super Bowl or even a playoff game, but it’s clear that he has the talent to be elite. It’s clear that he’s the future of the NFL and because of him, the Packers will remain Super Bowl contenders the rest of the year.

As for the Vikings, they’re done – as is Favre. The Packers backed the right horse a couple of years ago.