http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gK0YZi8N2BoWRKweHysxShS0Cb_A

After three years behind Favre, Rodgers ready to play for Packers

5 hours ago

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers has a message for Green Bay Packers fans.

"I'm not Brett Favre," he said Saturday. "And if they're wanting me to be the next Brett Favre, I'm not going to be him. I'm Aaron Rodgers. That's who I am."

After spending three years running the scout team and watching game film during the week - only to spend Sundays wearing a headset and toting a clipboard - Rodgers' turn finally arrived when Favre retired.

"I'm going to be the best quarterback I can be," said Rodgers, who was in Green Bay for the Packers' annual fan fest. "He did it his way, I'm going to do it my way. And hopefully, I can be successful."

The Packers' first-round pick in 2005 has thrown a grand total of 59 passes in seven career games. But he played well when called on in a game at Dallas in November, and will be surrounded by young talent next season.

"I'm in a good situation," said Rodgers, who turned 24 in December. "I've got a great team around me. A lot of people are focusing on what I'm going to do - it's what the team's going to do, really. I'm an important part of that. I know my role and I need to play it well. And I'm not going to really have a grace period, either."

No, but he does have Favre's blessing.

"I think he'll do a great job," Favre said during his retirement news conference Thursday. "I think he has the talent. I've heard it for the last three years that, 'Hopefully he's learned from Brett.' What that means, I don't know. He's his own player, he has his own style and that's what he needs to stick to."

Rodgers had an occasionally rocky relationship with Favre. Especially as a rookie, when Favre didn't seem thrilled by the thought of working with a player who would eventually replace him and didn't offer much tutoring. The two gradually grew closer.

Rodgers admires Favre's fortitude and ability to work hard in practice, even when tired.

"The way he's dealt with the stuff that's happened to him and his family off the field, and also the adversity on the field - an interception or a bad throw or a bad drive, just being able to stay levelheaded and even-keeled, I think, is one of his best assets," Rodgers said.

Like nearly everyone in Green Bay, Rodgers assumed Favre was coming back. So he admits it probably won't really hit him until training camp that he is really the starter.

Rodgers knows the comparisons to Favre are inevitable. But he grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and is hoping to follow the path of Steve Young. Young wasn't the next Joe Montana, but he helped the 49ers continue their run of success by bringing a different approach to his position.

"I know a lot of friends and family who were Joe Montana fans, where it didn't matter how good Steve Young did," he said. "They weren't going to cheer for him because he wasn't Joe Montana."

Rodgers has been injured twice in three seasons. In a place where the last guy started 275 straight games that translates to "injury prone."

"I think both those injuries were things that could have happened to anybody," Rodgers said. "So I'm just going to get myself in great shape and hopefully, with a little luck, I can stay out there."

Rodgers already has earned the trust of teammates. He started building those bonds well before the biggest moment of his career, when Favre was hurt at Dallas in November and Rodgers nearly led the Packers to a comeback victory.

"It was just one game," Rodgers said. "I want to do it over a season."

Packers receiver Donald Driver said the Dallas game provided an important boost for Rodgers, who came into the huddle somewhat unsure of himself but left as a confident leader.

"For him to get in the huddle and say, 'Hey guys, just believe in me,' he was kind of shaky, because he didn't think guys believed in him," Driver said. "But we did believe in him. We were like, 'We want you to believe in us, but you have to believe in yourself first.' And I think now he knows that he believes in himself because he went out there and performed well."

He did it once. Now he has to do it every week.

"There'll be a little bit of nerves," Rodgers said, "But I've been waiting my whole life to do this."

Packers advance to NFC title game with 42-20 wipeout of Seahawks

Packers advance to NFC title game with 42-20 wipeout of Seahawks

Green Bay overcomes 14-0 deficit, buries Seattle at snowy Lambeau

By Tony Walter
twalter@greenbaypressgazette.com January 13, 2008

The eyes of Wisconsin are looking toward Texas today, but Green Bay Packers fans won't quickly dismiss the snowy special Saturday at Lambeau Field that put the team one victory away from the Super Bowl.

The team's 42-20 whipping of the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional playoffs Saturday sends the Packers to the NFC championship game one week from today, and their confidence is not lacking.

"They believe they're going to win the Super Bowl," head coach Mike McCarthy said of his players after they ignored a 14-point deficit in the first four minutes of the game and dismantled coach Mike Holmgren's team with six-straight touchdown drives. "This is a very confident football team."

If the New York Giants defeat the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium today (3:30 p.m.), the first NFC championship game will be held at Lambeau Field since the title season of 1996, with the Giants as guests. If the Cowboys win, it's back to Dallas and another attempt to reverse the string of Packers losses there.

"I've never been a bigger Giants fan than I am right now," said Tracy Rice of Milwaukee, as she joined in a parking-lot party after the game.

Quarterback Brett Favre shares her feelings.

"We'd love to play at home next week and that goes for everybody in this building," he said Saturday after registering a quarterback rating of 137.6. "But we've got to win the next game, whether it's here or Dallas."

Favre threw three touchdown passes and created a buzz in the press box with a patented escape act and forward pitch to Donald Lee in the third quarter that set up a touchdown.

The forecast of possible snow flurries Saturday proved to be as underrated as this Packers team was when the games started to count. But a career day for running back Ryan Grant, Favre's mastery, and a defense that punished as it performed stirred a record crowd at Lambeau Field to one of its highest decibel levels.

And all that as 2 inches of snow fell, bringing grounds crews using brooms and shovels to help the teams and officials find the yard lines, and reminding the visiting Seahawks who, where and when they were playing.

As one sign said, "Holmgren, This Ain't Your House Anymore."

McCarthy said he was concerned by the early 14-0 score because he thought the snow could hamper a comeback.

"We were told that the snow would stop with the kickoff," he said.

Grant, the sudden running back star who must have general managers throughout the NFL wondering how they missed on this one, shrugged off fumbles on two of the first three times he touched the ball.

"It happened. That sucks. But let's move on," Grant said of his mood during the disastrous start of the game. He credited Favre for bolstering him after the second fumble.

"He told me to stay with it, that there was a lot of game left," Grant said.

Favre could relate.

"I told him that if there's one person who knows what it's like to be in your shoes, it's me," Favre said. "I don't think you can make a habit of doing what we did today. But we did it (fell behind) so quickly so there was a lot of time."

Grant was enjoying the ride.

"This is another chance for us to take care of what we have to take care of," he said.

McCarthy, the stoic architect of this journey, praised Grant's resiliency.

"He's very consistent," McCarthy said. "But I didn't think he'd run for 200 yards in January when we got him in training camp."

Of his team's work Saturday, McCarthy crowed.

"It's the performance you're looking for. We didn't blink."

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Seahawks take 14-0 lead, then get buried

Sunday, January 13, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Permission to reprint or copy this article or photo, other than personal use, must be obtained from The Seattle Times. Call 206-464-3113 or e-mail resale@seattletimes.com with your request.

ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck manages to get a pass away while under pressure from Green Bay's Aaron Kampman in a driving snowstorm at Lambeau Field on Saturday.

ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Green Bay's Brett Favre did all the right things against Seattle's defense, leading his team to six consecutive touchdowns on a snowy day.

ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Seattle's Leonard Weaver can't hang on to a pass as he is hit by Green Bay's Nick Barnett. Weaver was part of a Seattle running game that struggled to 28 yards on 18 carries.

Seahawks take 14-0 lead, then get buried

By José Miguel Romero
Seattle Times staff reporter

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Two Green Bay fumbles. Two Seahawks touchdowns. Two injured Seahawks. All in the first four minutes of the game, all in the snow.

It was a wild start, and before the Packers knew what hit them, they were down by 14 points.

Then they struck back with a vengeance and buried the Seahawks in an avalanche of offense. Green Bay rolled off 21 consecutive points, outscored Seattle 42-6 the rest of the game and ended the Seahawks' season with a 42-20 win Saturday in the NFC divisional playoffs at Lambeau Field.

It was the most points the Seahawks have ever surrendered in the postseason.

"We could not stop them," coach Mike Holmgren said.

And yet for those four minutes, the Seahawks looked primed for an upset. They lost special-teams contributor Josh Scobey on the kickoff to a left ankle injury, but on the first play from scrimmage, Packers running back Ryan Grant fumbled a catch when Seattle's Leroy Hill drilled him. Lofa Tatupu recovered and ran the ball to the Packers' 1-yard line. Shaun Alexander scored on the first play for a 7-0 Seahawks lead.

The next time the Packers got the ball, Grant fumbled, hit hard by Seahawks safety Brian Russell. Jordan Babineaux recovered, and the Seahawks took over at the Green Bay 49.

The Seahawks began moving the ball, and on the fourth play of the drive, wide receiver Deion Branch went down with a left knee injury. Branch, like Scobey, had to be carted to the locker room, and didn't return.

Branch's replacement, Ben Obomanu, gained 16 yards on a pass play. Then Matt Hasselbeck found Bobby Engram in the back of the end zone for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

"On the road, up 14 like that, I said, 'This couldn't be better right now,' " Holmgren said.

The Seahawks were on their way to the franchise's first road postseason win since the 1983 season. Or so it seemed.

"I was excited," wide receiver Nate Burleson said, "but I knew at some point they were going to start playing Packer football on both sides of the ball, and that's exactly what they did."

There were reasons the Packers finished 13-3 in the regular season, and quarterback Brett Favre was a big one. His 15-yard pass to Greg Jennings made it 14-7 with 7:08 left in the first quarter. On the Packers' next drive, Grant had runs of 26 and 15 yards, setting himself up for a 1-yard scoring run.

The Seahawks gave the ball up when tight end Marcus Pollard fumbled after a catch, and it took the Packers three plays to take the lead. Favre threw to Jennings 2 yards for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead at 13:22 of the second quarter.

Aided by a roughing-the-punter penalty, the Seahawks managed a field goal to make it 21-17. But by that time, the Packers' defense was hitting hard, and the offense was hitting its stride.

When Favre avoided a sack, stumbled, righted himself and flipped a pass to tight end Donald Lee as he was hit to gain key first down, the Packers had all the momentum. They scored on Grant's 3-yard run on the next play to go up 28-17 with 26 seconds left in the first half.

Grant, who was on the New York Giants' practice squad in 2005 and on injured reserve with them in 2006 before coming to Green Bay in a trade on Sept. 1 this season, was all the difference despite his two fumbles. He scored three touchdowns and trampled a befuddled and snowbound Seattle defense for 201 yards on 27 carries.

"We had bad gap control and at the same time, we weren't making good tackles. That's something we haven't done the whole year," Seahawks safety Deon Grant said. "They exploited us, and they ran with it."

Grant's yardage total was the most the Seahawks have ever allowed in a playoff game, ahead of Marcus Allen's 154 rushing yards for the Los Angeles Raiders on Jan. 8, 1984.

The Packers went up 35-17 when Favre connected with Brandon Jackson for a 13-yard pass play, the score set up by a pair of 24-yard gains during the drive. The snow began coming down in blizzard-like form, and the Seahawks were caught up in the storm.

Their last chance to get back into the game went through Pollard's hands in the end zone, and the Seahawks settled for a Josh Brown field goal with 2:46 left in the third quarter. Grant's third TD made it 42-20 at the 13:26 mark of the fourth quarter.

Green Bay didn't punt until there was 9:15 left in the game.

"Whatever team you're on and you don't win the Super Bowl, it's tough," Hasselbeck said. "It's a real hollow feeling."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com

Favre, Packers overwhelm Seattle 42-20 to reach NFC championship game

Favre, Packers overwhelm Seattle 42-20 to reach NFC championship game

By BEN WALKER
AP National Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Favre somehow spun free from the Seahawks'
clutches and stumbled ahead in the snow. Ever the gambler, he flipped a wobbly, underhanded pass that he had no business trying, let alone completing.
"That's right!" he shouted.
Sure was, for Favre and the NFC championship-bound Green Bay Packers.
With Lambeau Field looking like a snow globe, Favre frolicked in the flurries, throwing three touchdown passes as the Packers beat Seattle 42-20 Saturday, the highest-scoring postseason game in Green Bay history.
This must have been the scene the 38-year-old three-time NFL MVP imagined when he decided to postpone retirement and try for another Super Bowl ring.
"It does make you appreciate it," Favre said. "We could be 3-13 next year. Who knows? So enjoy it and try to get the most out of it."
Ryan Grant made history, too, recovering from two fumbles that put the Packers down 14-0 after only four minutes. He set a team postseason record by running for 201 yards, and scored three times.
After its early slips, Green Bay scored touchdowns on six straight possessions.
"I appreciate everyone sticking with it, staying with me," Grant said.
In the months ahead, Wisconsin might again become a wonder-land — will Favre come back again? — but for now, fans are guaranteed at least one more game.
The Packers (14-3) will take on the winner of Sunday's game between the New York Giants and Dallas. If the Cowboys win, they'll host Green Bay; if the Giants win, they'll visit Lambeau.
Green Bay beat the Giants this season and lost to the Cowboys. Favre would certainly prefer to stay home — he's 0-9 lifetime at Dallas.
"We haven't had a whole lot of success in Dallas and I'm well aware of that," Favre said.
The Packers reached the NFC title game for the first time since the
1997 season, and the largest crowd ever at Lambeau partied. Favre and favorite receiver Donald Driver started the celebration early, tossing snowballs at each other.
Favre tied his personal best for TD strikes in a postseason game, twice hitting Greg Jennings.
Favre extended his own record by throwing a touchdown pass in his 17th straight postseason game. But his most memorable effort was the crazy toss to Donald Lee that set up another score right before halftime.
"I'm not quite as nimble as I once was," Favre said.
Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks (11-7) hoped to reverse what happened the last time they were in town for the playoffs. In January 2004, the teams went to overtime and, after winning the coin toss, Hasselbeck boldly proclaimed: "We want the ball and we're going to score!"
It didn't quite work out that way as Al Harris soon intercepted Hasselbeck's pass and returned it for a 52-yard TD. In fact, a picture of the play is posted right outside the Packers' locker room.
Coming off their 35-14 win over Washington last week in the wild-card round, the Seahawks seemed primed for an upset.
"Great start," Hasselbeck said. "But that's just the start of the game. You've got to finish it."
On Green Bay's first play, Grant caught a pass and fumbled. Then on Seattle's first play, Shaun Alexander plunged in from the 1.
Grant didn't do any better a minute later, when another fumble set up Hasselbeck's 11-yard TD strike to Bobby Engram.
"When we were down 14-0, I have to admit I was not very optimistic,"
Favre said.
"I thought, 'Oh boy, this ain't too good,'" he said. "This is the exact game I didn't want to be in."
At that point, it seemed as if only a Lambeau leap of faith would bring back Green Bay. But when the snow started to pile up, so did the points for the Packers.
It was 14-all after the first quarter, and Green Bay led 28-17 at halftime.
Favre joined Joe Montana as the lone players to pass for more than 5,000 yards in the postseason. Earlier this week, Favre admitted he was disappointed that he hadn't performed better in some playoff games — in fact, he had lost four of his previous five, throwing 13 interceptions in that span.
This time, he was the Favre of old. And once he started to connect, there was no stopping him.
Green Bay led 21-17 late in the first half when Favre made the play of the game. On third-and-8 at the Seattle 14, he escaped from rookie Brandon Mebane and managed to slip the ball to Lee for an 11-yard gain. Grant followed with a 3-yard burst just 26 seconds before the break.
Coach Mike McCarthy won in his first postseason game, leading the NFL's youngest team to the next round.
The Seahawks fell to 0-8 in postseason road games since their only win, in 1983 when they beat Dan Marino and Miami in the AFC playoffs.
The losing streak includes a loss in the Super Bowl two years ago.
It remains to be seen whether coach Mike Holmgren will return to the Seahawks next season. At 59, the coach who once guided Favre and the Packers to the Super Bowl title has recently dropped hints he might retire.
If he does, his final game will have come just a block or two from Holmgren Way, the street the city named in his honor.
Green Bay played its first postseason game in three seasons and it was a classic Lambeau scene. Favre was about the only player in long sleeves, though Seattle kicker Josh Brown brought a pair of pants with battery-powered heaters to keep his thighs warm.
During a coach's challenge in the first quarter, sweepers ran out to clear the yardlines. That eventually became futile, and a snowplow tried to do the job.
Cheeseheads dotted the crowd and delighted in singing the "Beer Barrel Polka" as their Packers pulled away.
Lambeau was properly prepped for this winter carnival, with snow sculptures of a Green Bay helmet and giant football placed outside the main gate.
A day earlier, 300 members of the Packers' ever-ready faithful answered the team's "Shovel Advisory" and showed up to clear the seats and aisles for $8 an hour. While they readied the stadium for a pep rally Friday night, Ice Bowl star Jerry Kramer greeted visitors to the team's Hall of Fame, chatting with them inside a replica of Vince Lombardi's office.

Favre passes Marino; Packers down Rams to clinch bye

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=/nfl/news/ABN4117809.htm

Favre passes Marino; Packers down Rams to clinch bye

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Brett Favre threw for 227 yards with two touchdowns and set another record, as the Green Bay Packers downed the St. Louis Rams, 33-14, at the Edward Jones Dome.

With the victory and Seattle's loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the Packers clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs for the first time since 1997. Green Bay also moved into a tie for the top spot in the NFC as Dallas lost to Philadelphia later on Sunday.

Favre, who completed 19-of-30 passes with two interceptions, surpassed Hall of Famer Dan Marino for the NFL's all-time record for most career passing yards. He came into the contest needing 184 yards to break Marino's mark of 61,361. Needing just one more yard, the veteran set the new record early in the fourth quarter after completing a seven-yard pass to Donald Driver.

"I say it every time this happens: I'm honored, but I would much rather win," said Favre. "The fact that I've played in every game (since my first start) to me is probably my biggest feat. None of these individual records would have happened if it wasn't for the fact that I'd played in every game.

"To pass a guy like Dan Marino, regardless of what record it is... I've said this all along and I will continue to say this: I've never considered myself in the same league as Dan Marino, maybe the greatest passer ever. The way he did it is probably the way you would coach another guy to do it. The way I've done it, I don't know if you would coach guys to do it that way. To be mentioned in the same breath as him is quite an honor."

Driver ended with five catches for 80 yards while Greg Jennings caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Packers (12-2), who have won 16 of their past 18 games dating back to last season.

Ryan Grant led Green Bay's ground game with 55 yards and a score.

Steven Jackson carried the ball 24 times for 143 yards with a touchdown and Torry Holt had a touchdown grab for the Rams (3-11), who have lost two straight.

"The game was a real close game for the first three quarters," said St. Louis head coach Scott Linehan. "We spent a good deal of our time defensively on the wrong side of the field and offensively on the wrong side of the field. It is tough to overcome the field position battle. You spend the whole time playing on the long field or the short field."

St. Louis signal-caller Marc Bulger returned to action after missing the last two weeks with a concussion and completed 20-of-39 passes for 219 yards with a touchdown and two picks.

Leading by six points in the third quarter, the Packers extended their lead to 27-14 with just under six minutes remaining after Favre launched a 44-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jennings.

Early in the fourth quarter, Jeff Wilkins had a chance to put points on the board for St. Louis but was short on a 48-yard field goal attempt.

Mason Crosby's 25-yard chip shot field goal with 11:22 to play in the contest extended Green Bay's lead to 30-14. Crosby's three points ended a short seven- play, 55-yard drive.

Crosby tacked on three more points with a 46-yarder with 3:43 left to end the scoring.

The Packers got the ball to start the game and marched 52-yards on nine plays and took the early lead after Grant barreled his way over the goal line from one-yard out. Grant carried the ball six times for 17 yards on the scoring drive.

With 1:11 remaining in the opening quarter, the Rams tied the game after Bulger found Holt wide open near the left side of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown reception. Jackson racked up 39 yards rushing on the drive.

Green Bay regained its lead just 45 seconds into the second quarter after Favre threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Donald Lee. The score was set up by a 37-yard catch-and-run play by Driver down the left sideline that put the Packers on the St. Louis four-yard line.

The Rams responded after Lee's touchdown and tied the contest at 14-14 after a 46-yard run up the middle by Jackson with 10:09 left in the second.

The Packers made it 17-14 after Crosby booted a 44-yarder just inside the right upright with 3:54 remaining in the first half.

Atari Bigby's second interception of the game set up a field goal by Crosby, who split the uprights with a 50-yarder with 10:21 to play in the third quarter to make it 20-14.

Game Notes

Jennings has caught at least one touchdown in 10 of the last 12 games for the Packers...Favre improved to 7-3 over the Rams in his career...Driver has had a reception in 94 consecutive games...Jackson recorded his second 100-yard rushing game this season...Holt has five career touchdowns in five games against Green Bay.

12/16 19:51:43 ET

The Insider: Thumbs up to special teams, down to run defense

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/PKR0201/71216044/1989

The Insider: Thumbs up to special teams, down to run defense

By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

Thumbs up

When a team runs nearly three-fourths of its offensive plays in the other team’s territory, you know it was a dominant special teams performance.

To say the Green Bay Packers enjoyed a significant field-position advantage in today’s 33-14 win over the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, would be a massive understatement.

Of the Packers’ 53 offensive plays, 39 began on the Rams’ end of the field. Their average starting position on drives that began after Rams kickoffs was their 45-yard line, compared the Rams’ average of their 17-yard line. On all possessions, the Packers began at an average of their 48 and the Rams at their 17.

It was by far the most-lopsided field-position advantage for the Packers this season. Before today, their best performances in that area came against Carolina in Week 11 – when its average start position was the 38-yard line (and the 45-yard line on drives that began with kickoffs) – and against San Diego in Week 3 – when the Chargers had an average start position of the 19 (and the 20 on drives that began with kickoffs).

The first three times the Packers had the ball today, they began at their 48, their 44 and the Rams’ 45. That resulted in a touchdown, a lost fumble and a touchdown, respectively. Half of the Packers’ 12 drives began on St. Louis’ end of the field.

Koren Robinson opened the game with a 48-yard kickoff return and would have had an 88-yard return to the Rams’ 13 on his second return of the day if not for a holding penalty on Tramon Williams. Still, that return went for 66 yards, and Robinson averaged 43.3 yards on three returns.

Mason Crosby and the kickoff team played a part, too. Crosby had a pair of touchbacks, and Rams kick returner Derek Stanley had little room to run. The longest of his six returns was 21 yards.

Thumbs down

The Packers knew the Rams’ best chance to move the ball would be on the ground with Steven Jackson, so it should not have been a surprise that coach Scott Linehan did everything possible to put the game in the hands of his star running back whenever possible.

Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders countered by bringing up safety Atari Bigby as an eighth man in the box and then used a variety of run blitzes, but it was no avail. Jackson, who last season was the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher but has been slowed this year by a groin injury that cost him four games earlier this year, gained 103 of his 143 yards in the first half.

He caught the Packers in a classic overpursuit situation on a second-and-2 play in the second quarter, when linebacker Nick Barnett tried to shoot a gap. Jackson made a swift cut to avoid Barnett and was gone for a 46-yard touchdown that tied the game at 14 with 10 minutes, 9 seconds left before halftime. Barnett said two defensive players shot the same gap, which gave Jackson room to make the quick cut he needed to break the run.

If there’s an area of concern late in the season, it’s the Packers’ run defense.

Though they slowed down the Oakland Raiders last week, holding them to 85 yards on 28 rushes, today was the fourth time in five games that an opponent rushed for at least 105 yards against the Packers. The Rams’ 173 yards on 31 carries (a 5.6-yard average) marked the highest output by a Packers’ opponent this season. The previous high was 155 yards by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 at the Metrodome.

Turning point

Safety Atari Bigby twice bailed out the Packers.

On the Rams’ final possession of the first half, Bigby intercepted a pass that went through the hands of receiver Drew Bennett at the Packers’ 22-yard line.

Bigby picked off quarterback Marc Bulger again on the first series of the third quarter after Barnett had blanket coverage of receiver Torry Holt, who couldn’t come up with Bulger’s pass.

Play of the game

Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett took the ultimate gamble when he rushed seven on third-and-10 from the Rams’ 44-yard line in the third quarter. That meant the Packers would have single coverage in their four-receiver set.

When two St. Louis defenders (safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and cornerback Ron Bartell) jumped at Donald Driver, who ran a short crossing route, it left Greg Jennings wide open on a middle go route. With the blitz picked up adequately, Packers quarterback Brett Favre had time to lob a pass to Jennings for a 44-yard touchdown that gave the Packers a 27-14 lead.

Did you notice?

· With cornerback Jarrett Bush inactive because of a calf strain, Sanders used a rotation of cornerbacks in the nickel and dime defenses. Tramon Williams started the game as the third cornerback, but Will Blackmon also got some nickel work. Frank Walker was the dime back.

· Safety Aaron Rouse played most of the second half in place of Nick Collins, and cornerback Charles Woodson came out of the game late in the fourth quarter.

· Recently benched left guard Daryn College replaced left tackle Chad Clifton on the final series.

By the numbers

6: Touchdown catches by Donald Lee, who had a 4-yard scoring reception against the Rams. It’s the most touchdown catches by a Packers’ tight end since Bubba Franks had 7 in 2004.

12: Touchdown catches this season by Jennings, who had one against the Rams. It’s the most touchdown catches by a Packers’ receiver since Javon Walker had a dozen in 2004.

26: Touchdown passes this season by Favre, who had two against the Rams. It’s the most he's had since 2004, when he had 30.

The big picture

Perhaps the biggest reason the Packers are 12-2 and in prime position in the NFC is the health of their roster.

A scout who saw the Packers two months ago and again today noted this: The only difference in their nickel defense now and when he last saw them was the absence of Jarrett Bush. The scout considers the third cornerback essentially a 12th defensive starter, meaning that the Packers are essentially playing with 11 of their top 12 defensive players.

That means perhaps the most important factor the rest of the season could be injuries. It’s vital that the Packers keep this roster intact heading into the playoffs.

Packers delighted to get 1st-round playoff bye

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/PKR0201/71216046/1989

Packers delighted to get 1st-round playoff bye

By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

ST. LOUIS – The Green Bay Packers wrapped up the NFC North last week and a first-round bye today.

What’s next? The No. 1 seed in the NFC and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs perhaps.

It’s still possible after a day in which everything that needed to fall the Packers’ way did.

Even before they had finished off their 33-14 rout of the injury-plagued St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, the Carolina Panthers had completed an unlikely 13-10 win over the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks. That combination assured the Packers of one of the top two seeds in the NFC, a first-round bye and a home divisional playoff game on either Jan. 12 or Jan. 13.

Then, as the Packers were flying home from St. Louis, the Philadelphia Eagles were busy shocking the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium. The Eagles’ 10-6 win in Irving, Texas, left the Cowboys and Packers with matching 12-2 records.

Because the Cowboys hold the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to their 37-27 win over the Packers on Nov. 29, Dallas would need to lose at least one more game than the Packers over the final two weeks of the regular season in order to earn the top seed.

Dallas plays at Carolina on Saturday and at Washington on the final day of the regular season, while the Packers play at Chicago on Sunday and close at home against Detroit on Dec. 30.

“It means we’re that much closer to the Super Bowl, honestly,” Packers linebacker Nick Barnett said. “We’ve only got to play two (playoff games) instead of three (to reach the Super Bowl), and we get one of those games at Lambeau. It’s huge. I don’t remember when the last time the Packers have been 12-2 and had a first-round bye. It’s a huge accomplishment, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Barnett probably doesn’t remember when the Packers last had a first-round bye because it was 10 years ago, when he was in high school. In 1997, they went 13-3 and were the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round at Lambeau Field and then won the NFC championship game at San Francisco before losing in Super Bowl XXXII to the Denver Broncos.

In their last four trips to the playoffs, the Packers have been relegated to the wild-card round and in two of the last three postseason appearances, they lost home wild-card games (including their most recent playoff game in 2004 against the Minnesota Vikings).

“I’ve never been able to be part of a first-round bye,” said Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher, an eight-year veteran. “But it’s something that’s a big advantage when you can sit back and watch your opponent and have a week off to recover. Especially at this time of the year, that’s huge. And then to be able to play at home, it’s a big, big advantage.”

With the No. 1 seed still up for grabs, Packers coach Mike McCarthy shouldn’t have to wrestle this week with the difficult decision of whether to rest some of his starters to ensure their health for the postseason.

The Packers also still have a chance to win a team-record 14 games. This comes two years after a 4-12 season and a year after the Packers had to win their last four games to finish 8-8.

“With free agency and the salary cap, you know you’re going to dip,” Packers chairman Bob Harlan said. “It’s going to happen. The key is that you just don’t let it last. This really proves that we’ve bounced back so fast from 4-12.”
How did it happen?

“It starts with the scouting department,” veteran long snapper Rob Davis said. “They went out and scouted a lot of young talent. We’ve got more athletes around here than I can remember in the 11 years that I’ve been here. And everybody’s buying into what (McCarthy) is talking about.”

More Records On Horizon For Favre, Packers

More Records On Horizon For Favre, Packers

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by Mike Spofford, Packers.com
posted 12/12/2007

Either Brett Favre setting NFL records has become so commonplace it's blasé, or Favre has sufficiently deflected the credit and directed the conversation for his previous achievements to the team as a whole that there's less focus specifically on him.

Whichever is the stronger truth, it was a telling state of Favre and the Packers on Wednesday when the future Hall of Fame quarterback addressed the media in an 18-minute press conference and wasn't once asked about the NFL career record for passing yardage he's about to set.

Heading into Sunday's game at St. Louis, Favre needs just 184 yards to surpass Dan Marino's NFL mark of 61,361 passing yards that has stood since 1999. Over the past two seasons, while breaking Marino's records for passing attempts, completions and touchdowns, along with George Blanda's mark for interceptions and John Elway's for victories under center, Favre has tried to downplay each one.

But when he entered the season needing 3,862 yards to top Marino, it was no given by any means. Though Favre had thrown for more than that total in 10 of his first 15 seasons as Green Bay's starter, there were plenty of questions about how much he had left and whether he could still put up elite statistics.

But while Favre has answered those questions with an MVP-caliber season -- and barring injury is likely to break Marino's yardage record sometime in the second half on Sunday -- it's also true that he's said many times the record that probably means the most to him is the one for victories, because it's a team accomplishment.

Perhaps then it's fitting that the only records discussed during his weekly press conference Wednesday were two team marks Favre and the Packers have a shot at in these final three weeks of the regular season.

The first is for wins. With three more victories, the 2007 Packers would become the first team in franchise history to post 14 regular-season wins. The two Super Bowl teams Favre played on in 1996 and 1997 both went 13-3 in the regular season.

The other is the franchise record for points. That 1996 Super Bowl championship squad scored 456 points during the regular season, and this year's team sits at 361, needing to average 32 points per game over the final three weeks to hit 457.

Asked about those, Favre pointed to the talent he has around him on offense, and that he's developed more chemistry and trust with that talent. Whereas last year Favre said he'd probably try to force a pass to a double-covered Donald Driver, he has done a better job utilizing all his weapons in the passing game this season.

"It's a matter of making plays and confidence from my end," Favre said. "It's a good blend right now, and it's happened pretty quickly obviously."

While Driver still leads the team in receptions (73) and yards (936), Greg Jennings leads in touchdowns (11), tight end Donald Lee has as many catches (46) as Jennings, and rookie receiver James Jones is right behind them (43).

One undeniable and invaluable factor in the offense's prowess that has also helped Favre close quickly on Marino's yardage record is his receivers' yards after the catch.

Approximately 52 percent of Favre's 3,678 passing yards this season have come after the catch, as the Packers have made big plays both on short routes that turn into long runs and long throws that become huge gains when the receiver gets behind the entire defense.

"When teams have blitzed or played zone we've made them pay with yards after the catch," Favre said. "I think our guys are as good as there's ever been at making people miss. They're hard to tackle.

"I tell people you could put Donald (Driver) in a phone booth with 11 guys and it would take them 5 minutes to touch him."

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That percentage of yards after the catch relative to the team's passing total is tops in the league, and while Driver has been the old pro at it, the others have followed his lead and learned some of his moves.

"I think in this offense you have to pride yourself on that," Jones said. "But I think we've just got a lot of tough guys on this team that once we get the ball in our hands, we want to make something big. We want to turn those 5-yard catches into 50-yard catches. So I think that has a lot to do with the receiving corps we've got, the mental toughness we've got to make big plays."

Though there's no way to control it, it would make sense if the pass to break Marino's yardage record is a short one that a receiver turns into a big gain with a dodging, darting run upfield.

There certainly won't be as much fanfare with this record as with the touchdown one in Minnesota, and if the game is stopped at all it will be simply to retrieve the record-breaking ball that was thrown.

That will be fine with Favre. He'd much rather focus on chalking up another victory and improving the team's playoff position, and if the franchise records for wins and points in a season become more possible in the process, all the better. But whether he's asked about them or not, they're all nothing more than convenient distractions for what matters most.

"I would have never thought as I stand here today that we would be not only in a position to possibly win 14 games but to break all these records," Favre said. "But the bottom line is what happens in the end."

http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/317577.html

Posted on Thu, Nov. 22, 2007

Compared to Favre, Romo is ... well, he’s 10-1

By RANDY GALLOWAY

rgalloway@star-telegram.com

STAR-TELEGRAM/RON T. ENNIS

Quarterback Tony Romo checks his wrapped finger on the sideline after hitting his hand on a helmet in the first half.

IRVING — Head-to-head competition is a week away, but don’t think the comparisons didn’t start Thursday afternoon.

Romo vs. his hero, Favre. Cowboys vs. Packers in a 10-and-1 NFC collision.

But for a Thanksgiving Day national TV audience that waded though turkey, dressing, sweet potato pie and two football games in seven hours, there was a clear-cut winner in the early polls. Brett Favre, come on down.

After watching some of Favre’s surgical excellence against the Lions (381 yards passing, three touchdowns, and a club-record 20 consecutive completions), a smiling Tony Romo had the right observation:

"Hopefully he had his best game of the year [Thursday]."

Romo, obviously, wasn’t close to his best against the Jets, nor did he have to be as the Cowboys totally dominated, 34-3, putting to rest for now those nagging doubts about the "little things," meaning the defensive secondary, running game and special teams.

But Romo is billed as "Favre Lite," and Tony had a tough act to follow Thursday when it comes to the comparisons, as premature as they are, between the two.

After a less than impressive first half, Romo underthrew a wide-open Jason Witten in the third quarter — Touchdown Tony doesn’t miss those — and that’s when the "what’s wrong with him" questions started to swirl at Texas Stadium. Normally, that throw to Witten would have been a quick six

"Nothing was wrong," answered Romo.

But others in the Cowboys’ locker room, who wanted to remain nameless, disagreed with the quarterback. Reportedly, Romo hurt the pinkie finger on his throwing hand in the first quarter. That ailment, combined with the mixture of snow and rain that fell in the first half, resulted in a traction problem. Romo, according to those who should know, couldn’t get a proper grip on the slippery ball due to the minor injury.

At one point in the second quarter, backup QB Brad Johnson was warming up in the bench area, but didn’t appear until fourth-quarter mop-up time.

"[Romo] hurt his finger a little bit, but it’s no problem," coach Wade Phillips said.

Romo also offered no excuses, and he was 21-of-28 while throwing two TD passes, one to Witten in the first half, and then added some scoreboard icing on a perfect toss to Eldorado Owens in the fourth quarter.

"I recognized pretty early today that our defense was going to do a good job," Romo said. "And from that point, you just kind of took what they give you and try not to hurt your team."

Nothing wrong with that answer, by the way. But it didn’t keep Witten from giving Romo some grief for the underthrow. "I let him hear it after he missed me," Witten said, laughing. "I told him I was faster than other tight ends, so throw it out there for me."

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t exactly a Favre-like performance for Romo, but he has the head-to-head duel next week to correct that. Witten, however, was also involved in a Tony mishap in the first half, one that resulted in Tony’s lone interception of the afternoon.

Trying to force an end-zone throw to Owens looked awful, but it was compounded because Romo didn’t see a wide-open Witten.

"He didn’t seem like he was in sync enough," Phillips said of Romo. "But we scored a lot of points and moved the ball."

(Wade could also have added, "when Romo is so-so, and we win by 31 points, what the hell is the question?" But Phillips stayed cool.)

Since the Packers played first on the Thanksgiving schedule, it made sense to think the Cowboys might be looking ahead to next week even before kicking off to the Jets as a 14-point favorite. The defense, however, made sure this wasn’t a factor. The Jets dipped far below the NFL’s Mendoza Line for total offense (200 yards) with a mere 180.

"It’s been the next team every game," added Phillips, meaning the Cowboys have made a habit of not looking ahead.

But once a boring afternoon, entertainment-wise, was over, Green Bay dominated the locker room conversation, starting with Favre, yet including owner Jerry Jones talking up the cable vs. dish debate since this is a game that will be shown nationally on the NFL Network, which reaches about two dozen homes, or something like that, across the country.

"I’d like to be a spectator for that one," Witten said of the matchup between Romo and his hero. "I expect we will get the best Brett has to offer next week," said Romo, who admits he hasn’t totally shed his Packers’ love from the old days growing up in Wisconsin.

"I still root them on," said Tony, who added with a smile, "but lately I’ve started to root against them."

Next week will definitely be one of those "rooting against them" moments.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/football/story/373088.html

Posted on Thu, Nov. 22, 2007 10:15 PM

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Packers, Cowboys set up Texas showdown

Star News Services

How about a little turkey with that cheese?

The Green Bay Packers made a Motown sound of their own Thursday in Detroit, feasting on the Lions 37-26.

Say cheese. The Pack is back.

Brett Favre set a Green Bay record with 20 consecutive completions and threw for a season-high 381 yards and three touchdowns in the Packers’ convincing win against the slumping Lions.

Now, after winning the showdown in Motown, the Packers helped set up a huge NFC game next Thursday in Dallas against the Cowboys, who jettisoned the New York Jets 34-3 in Irving, Texas.

Both the Packers and Cowboys are 10-1. The winner gains the edge for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

The Packers matched their best 11-game record since 1929 and took a four-game lead in the NFC North with five games left in the regular season.

The Cowboys have their best record through 11 games in their 48-year history. Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes, including a late one to Terrell Owens.

The Cowboys needed only eight plays to go ahead 7-0 and were up 21-0 before the Jets, 2-9, even scored, getting a field goal in the final minute of the first half. Dallas did not allow a touchdown for the first time all season and the 31-point margin was a season high.

Favre, 38 and a three-time MVP, carved up the Lions with another sensational performance that made him look as if he’s back in his prime. Favre’s seventh 300-yard game of the season matched a team mark he set in 1995.

Detroit, 6-5, lost its third straight game, making its playoff picture bleak because it would lose wild-card tie breakers against the Giants, Washington, Philadelphia and Arizona.

•COLTS CRUISE: Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes, Anthony Gonzalez had 105 yards receiving and the defending Super Bowl champions, after getting stunned with 10 quick points by the Falcons, rebounded for a 31-13 victory in Atlanta.

The only highlight for the Falcons was Warrick Dunn becoming the 22nd rusher in NFL history to reach 10,000 yards.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=3123660

Cute story? Not anymore. Packers are deadly serious

By Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN.com
(Archive)

Updated: November 22, 2007

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DETROIT -- There was a brief moment in Green Bay's 37-26 win over Detroit when it seemed like the Packers might be in trouble. It came on their first possession of the game, actually on their first play, when quarterback Brett Favre stumbled and fumbled while attempting a handoff to Ryan Grant. The scent of an upset wafted through Ford Field when Lions defensive end Jared DeVries recovered the ball.

In retrospect, that was the only time all game that Favre looked human.

What's becoming quite clear is that Favre isn't just enjoying a renaissance for a Packers team that has surprised everybody with its current 10-1 record. He's actually engineering something that has the potential to be far more magical, and for Green Bay fans, far more memorable.

Leon Halip/US Presswire

Brett Favre posted a passer rating of 128.2 against Detroit -- his fifth straight game with a passer rating above 100.

No longer are the Packers simply a charming story of how far faith, dedication and ambition can take a young team trying to make it in the NFL. They're starting to look very much like a team that could beat anybody in this league -- including the team they will face next week, the Cowboys, in what will be a heavily hyped NFC showdown on Thursday.

After all, Favre didn't just torch the Lions. He abused them in front of 63,257 fans who had postponed their Thanksgiving meals and a national television audience that should be quite accustomed to his weekly brilliance. Along with completing 31 of 41 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns, Favre set a team record with 20 consecutive completions.

"I wasn't even aware of the record," Favre said. "I just knew that we were passing the ball efficiently. It's what was working today so we just went with the flow."

Favre's play on Thursday was just another example of how remarkable he has been all season. The beauty of his play is that he's no longer the reckless gunslinger who threw 38 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions the previous two seasons. He's managing the game now with his deft decision-making. He's controlling the tempo with his masterful touch and he's still dangerous enough to burn unsuspecting defensive backs downfield.

Instead of trying to carry the Packers on his 38-year-old shoulders, Favre has been willing to just do his part while his younger teammates do theirs.

Of course, the irony here is that Favre didn't really believe this team could be this good when the season started. He spent the offseason fuming about the Packers' decision to not trade for Randy Moss. He wondered why running back Ahman Green wasn't re-signed when the backfield lacked another proven runner. Even when Favre talked about skipping a May mini-camp that he later attended, he gave the impression he was miffed at management for not surrounding him with better players.

It's clear now that Favre sees the vision that general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy had for a team that won 12 games the previous two years. He also is glad that his teammates understood his frustrations.

"Brett Favre has been playing in this league for 17 years," Packers wide receiver Donald Driver said. "When you've been around that long, all you care about is winning. And that's what Brett was concerned with [during the offseason]. He just wanted to know we were doing everything possible to win."

Favre's impression of this team has changed so much that he doesn't even think the Cowboys game will be the ultimate test of their ability.

"I think I've learned a lot already," Favre said. "One game won't decide how good or bad we are because we've overcome a lot this season. There have been different scenarios all season that make you say, 'Maybe we are pretty good.' And there have been situations in the past where we might have lost some of the games we've won."

There's little question that a fair share of that success results from the trust Favre has with his receivers, which was evident on Thursday. He connected on slant passes to Greg Jennings. He exploited the Lions' coverage with crossing routes to Driver -- who caught 10 passes for 147 yards -- and James Jones.

Frankly, it really didn't matter who was catching the balls and who was trying to defend them after a certain point. Favre was displaying the kind of rhythm that would make Justin Timberlake envious.

It's that efficiency that has made the Packers offense, a unit that has averaged 33.8 points in its last four games, even more potent as the season has progressed. Favre currently has seven 300-yard passing games this season, which ties his career high. He's also had a passer rating of at least 100 in his last five games, which also matches the best run of his career.

Even more important, he's helped give the Packers a four-game lead over the Lions in the NFC North, which means Green Bay could wrap up the division title as early as next week.

Favre clearly was happiest about that kind of opportunity following the game. He's already had a historical season -- one that has included his setting NFL records for wins, touchdown passes and interceptions -- but this year has been made even more rewarding because of Green Bay's playoff potential. Not bad considering that a year ago, the Packers were in the midst of a three-game losing streak that would see them fall to 4-8 before a four-game winning streak in December salvaged a .500 season.

"Things weren't looking so good at this point last year but now we've put ourselves in position to have some options at the end," Favre said. "Only one team can win it all and hopefully we can be that team."

That thought seemed laughable when this year began. But now, after yet another great performance by a future Hall of Famer, anything appears possible for Favre's Packers.

Jeffri Chadiha is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

http://beta.bleacherreport.com/articles/3985-NFL-Green_Bay_Packers-Detroit_Lions-Brett_Favre_Completes_20_Straight_Passes_in_Thanksgiving_Day_Feasting_of_Lions

Brett Favre Completes 20 Straight Passes in Thanksgiving Day Feasting of Lions

by Zander Freund (Columnist) 1 comments Filed Under: NFL, NFC North, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Brett Favre

Did anyone catch that postgame interview with Brett Favre today?

The contrast between the boys in the studio and the player on the field was so interesting, both physically and attitude wise.

James Brown wants to talk Brett Favre—Brett Favre wants to talk Donald Driver.

"Well I'll tell you one thing that worked well for us was Donald Driver. I tell ya, he makes me look great—I threw him a couple of three yard passes, and he's almost impossible to tackle on the first go around."

Donald Driver.

Not Marvin Harrison, not Randy Moss, not Terrell Owens—but Donald Driver. A two time pro bowler, but surely not a Hall of Famer.

Favre completed 20 straight passes today. He went 31 for 41 for 381 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no picks.

He's solidfying his legacy as one the very best of all time. The spotlight is on him. But first things first: he's gotta give props to his teammate.

A bright eyed, Hollywood Hank Dan Marino with gelled hair then enters the conversation, looking 35 years old, and asks the grizzled Favre, looking like he's pushing 55, whether he's having one of his best seasons ever.

Favre looks like he has tears in his eyes—maybe it's because of the cold whether in Detroit, or maybe because talking about the game he loves brings out so much emotion in him.

He looks up and says that he feels he's better than he's ever been. That his decision making skills are more mature now, but he's still being aggresive and making plays. That he is playing as good as he can play thus far this season.

James Brown asks about Brett's thanksgiving plans. "We'll be home shortly. It's a short trip for us, but DeAnne stayed up till midnight last night cooking." Favre then elaborates on all the details of his upcoming feast.

Tom Brady is out impregnating models, and Brett Favre can't wait to get home for a hearty thanksgiving meal courtesy of his beloved wife.

It's been such a pleasure to watch Favre this season. The man is a class act, both on and off the field.

He represents everything that is good about the game of football—he has the heart of a lion and is all team all the time. He plays through injuries and pain with regularity.

And he won't quit playing football until he is physically unable to throw the ball any longer.

These are great times for the NFL fans of America. We have two outstanding teams in each league that play consistently quality ball week in and week out. We are witnessing one of the greatest individual team performances in the history of the game. A rookie runningback with Barry Sanders-like juke moves is leading the league in rushing.

And to top it all off, we have the privelege of watching Brett Favre, at 38 years old, working his magic once again.

It's the season we've all been waiting for, and it's finally here. Bring on the playoffs.

Favre has plenty left in the tank

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7471296

Favre has plenty left in the tank

Alex Marvez / FOXSports.com
Posted: 12 hours ago

Sorry, Packers fans. Brett Favre isn't ready to announce his plans for 2008 quite yet.

But judging by the quarterback's comments and energetic tone during a Tuesday conference call with Detroit Lions media, Favre is clearly open to returning for an 18th NFL season.

"If the season was over today, I could look in the mirror and say, 'You know what? You can play,'" Favre said. "You don't have to say, 'I think I can' You know you can.

"Physically for the most part, I feel fine. I don't do some of the things I used to do quite as well. I have to envision next year that would be a little worse. There are a lot of factors, but I'm enjoying the ride. I don't want to stop here."

How long that ride lasts could heavily contribute to whether the 38-year-old Favre comes back. Green Bay (9-1) can take a commanding NFC North lead and another step toward securing a first-round playoff bye with a road victory Thursday against Detroit (6-4).

If the Packers keep winning, Favre appears more inclined to stay.

"Where we go from here defines a lot of things," said Favre, who isn't expected to make an official decision until after the season ends.

One of the reasons Favre announced plans to continue playing in 2007 so much quicker than in 2006 was the hope he received from last year's 8-8 finish. Favre admits he was still somewhat skeptical about Green Bay's prospects, but a supporting cast quickly developing under second-year head coach Mike McCarthy helped alleviate those concerns.

Favre no longer has to depend so heavily on wide receiver Donald Driver. He is still Favre's favorite target, but Driver has 20.2 percent of Green Bay's overall receptions compared to 26.3 last season.

Favre is turning more to young wideouts James Jones (35 catches) and Greg Jennings, who has four touchdown catches of 40-plus yards. The tight end also is a factor once again. Donald Lee and Bubba Franks have combined for 52 catches and six scores through 10 games; Green Bay's tight ends caught 56 passes and two touchdowns all of last season.

"They're good, but Brett is making those guys so much better," Lions safety Kenoy Kennedy said after Tuesday's practice. "If it's his last year or he's convincing himself he wants to play 20 more years, I don't know. He's on fire right now."

Favre also has greatly reduced the mistakes that generated 47 interceptions the previous two seasons. He has only eight this year with 16 touchdown passes, a 67.6 completion percentage and his highest quarterback rating (96.2) since 1995.

"Favre is managing the game better and playing within the offense more," one NFC personnel director said. "He takes what the defense gives him and is much more patient. He will still take chances but has cut down on his negative plays. (McCarthy) has done a great job reigning him in and it has paid huge dividends."

Said Favre: "One of the first things I write in my notes every week is, 'I don't have to win it myself. Don't put yourself or your team in a bind. Your defense and special teams can bail you out. Play it on a cautious, guarded basis. When you have a realistic shot, take a chance.'"

As the Packers have gotten off to their best start since 1962, Favre has continued his assault on the NFL's record book. Favre's most heralded accomplishment this season was breaking Dan Marino's mark of 420 touchdown passes, which he seems almost apologetic for doing.

"I told Marino this earlier in the year: 'I never considered myself in the same league as you and I never will,'" Favre allowed.

But those statistical achievements — combined with his return to form — have given Favre piece of mind even if this is his final go-around.

"I'm well aware of what people were saying the last couple of years," Favre said of criticism about his play in recent seasons. "I gave them every reason to say things (like) maybe he should retire or whatever.

"But I'm one of the few guys who can say individually I far exceeded every goal I ever set out ... I don't feel I have to come back to prove anything. I'm here because I love to play. I still think I can play at a high level and help this team win.

"If it doesn't work out and I walk away, hey, it's been a pretty good ride."