7-1 Vikings beat Packers again 38-26
By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 11/05/2009
GREEN BAY, WI — Green Bay’s General Manager Ted Thompson must admit it he was wrong. Brett Favre proved it again. Since the Green Bay Packers lost the NFC Championship game two years ago in January after a 13-3 regular season — Favre’s last in Green Bay — the Packers are headed south since they (Thompson) handed the quarterback job to Aaron Rodgers and waived bye-bye to Favre.
In 2008, the Packers were 6-10 without Favre; it was only the second losing season for the Packers in 17 years. The previous 16 years were with Favre at quarterback; they won 89 games at Lambeau Field. In year two of no Favre in Green Bay, the Packers are now 10-13 with Rodgers after going 13-3 with Favre in 2007.
The largest Lambeau Field regular-season crowd ever of 71,213 greeted Favre with a chorus of boos on his return to Green Bay with the hated Vikings. Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. Favre is the winning-est quarterback in NFL history (176 wins) and he’s beaten all 32 NFL teams — including the Packers — twice.
On Sunday, he was magnificent in the pressure spotlight, with all the attention and emotion on his historic return. He passed for 244 yards, and he threw four touchdown passes —the 21st game in which he has done this, tying Hall of Famer Dan Marino for most all-time. This one meant a lot to Favre, but he downplayed it all week.
“To me as an athlete and as a competitor, you always want to come back and beat your former team,” said Jared Allen, who had three sacks, “especially if there is ever any controversy.” And Favre’s decision to come back and play after retiring twice was loaded with controversy.
His teammates did the rest in a 38-26 win that gives the Vikings their first 7-1 start since 2000. The Vikings sacked Favre’s successor, Green Bay quarterback Rodgers, six times and built a 24-3 lead before the Packers used two Vikings turnovers to get close in the fourth quarter 31-26. The Packers had a chance with momentum on their side to get closer; however, kicker Mason Crosby missed a 51-yard field goal.
And Favre, sensing the kill, drove the Vikings 59 yards in four plays, highlighted by a 44-yard pass play to Adrian Peterson. Favre threw a 16-yard TD pass to Bernard Berrian to seal the victory and complete the sweep of Green Bay 38-26. It was Favre’s 90th regular-season career win at Lambeau Field. Farve’s overall career record at Lambeau Field, including playoffs, is 98-31.
Favre in two wins over his former team now has thrown seven touchdown passes, has not been sacked, and has thrown zero interceptions. This is the Vikings’ first sweep of Green Bay since 2005, and the last two times the Vikings started a season 7-1 they played for the NFC Championship. It was Head Coach Brad Childress’s first win at Lambeau Field and his first sweep of the Packers.
“It was truly a team effort,” said rookie sensation Percy Harvin. “Special teams, receiving, running and the defense played good; that’s what you want. It was especially important to come off the loss to Pittsburgh and get a win going into the bye.”
Harvin was sensational; he had 259 combined yards and a touchdown. He had five receptions for 84 yards and five kick returns for 175 yards. Adrian Peterson ran for 97 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown and grabbed one pass for 44 yards.
The Vikings have scored 244 points in eight games; they are averaging over 30 points a game. If they keep this up, this has the potential to be a special Vikings season.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:20 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com , or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com .
