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Rodgers overshadows Favre as Packers subdue Vikings

Nov 21, 2010 - 10:08 PM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings connected for three touchdowns, and Green Bay moved into a first-place tie in the NFC North with a 31-3 rout of Minnesota.

Rodgers threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-31 passing, hooking up with Jennings seven times for 152 yards as the Packers (7-3) captured their fourth straight win to join Chicago atop the division.

Jennings scored touchdowns in each of the last three quarters, part of a 31-0 run to end the game for Green Bay. James Jones also had a touchdown catch in the win.

"We were aggressive. We attacked them vertically and it opened up the middle of the field," said Jennings.

Rodgers spread the ball out to seven receivers, showing up predecessor Brett Favre for the second time this season.

Favre played it fast and loose as usual, completing just 17 of his 38 passes for 208 yards and an interception that the Packers converted into a touchdown.

Adrian Peterson was an afterthought for the Vikings (3-7), who trailed for most of the game and used one of the NFL's leading rushers only sparingly. Peterson had 14 effective carries for 72 yards and caught one pass for 16 yards.

"It sure was hard for me to walk off the field today after a loss like that," said Favre, who was ineffective despite getting one of his top pass catchers back.

Sidney Rice played for the first time this season after being activated from the physically unable to perform list. But the Pro Bowl receiver, who was out with a hip injury, made little difference with three catches for 56 yards.

Green Bay carried a 17-3 lead into halftime and all but put the game away early in the third when Rodgers and Jennings hooked up for a 46-yard touchdown.

Rodgers saw his receiver in man coverage near the left sideline, hitting him with a pass that allowed Jennings to spin around Minnesota's Asher Allen and romp untouched into the end zone to make it 24-3.

Jennings caught his third touchdown pass inside of 10:00 in the fourth quarter despite being blanketed by Allen in the front of the end zone. Rodgers dropped the pass in over Allen's head from 22 yards to make it 31-3.

The Packers pulled Rodgers for backup Matt Flynn with 6:37 remaining in the game and he completed his only pass attempt for five yards as Green Bay coasted down the stretch.

Minnesota got its only points on a 24-yard field goal from Ryan Longwell in the first quarter. But the first half -- and the game -- belonged to the Packers.

They got a 42-yard field goal from Mason Crosby to tie the game in the second quarter, ending a drive that was keyed by Jennings' 47-yard reception.

Green Bay took the lead for good when a scrambling Rodgers found Jennings in the middle of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass that made it 10-3 with about five minutes remaining in the half.

Favre was intercepted on the ensuing possession -- cornerback Tramon Williams jumped a slant pass -- and Green Bay turned it into a 17-3 lead when Rodgers connected with Jones in the corner of the end zone from three yards.

It was Favre's 17th interception of the season.

Favre, who spent 16 seasons with the Packers, fell to 2-2 against his former team. He placed much of the blame on himself and his teammates.

"We scored three points, so hopefully all of our guys will take a hard look at themselves," he said.

Game Notes

Favre made his 295th consecutive start, extending his NFL record...Green Bay's four-game winning streak began with a 28-24 victory over Minnesota in Week 7...The Packers improved to 4-1 under coach Mike McCarthy after a bye.