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Favre rallies Packers to victory against Vikings

Dec 22, 2006 - 7:39 AM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Brett Favre was not outstanding in what could be his last game at Lambeau Field, but the Minnesota Vikings' offensive was simply putrid.

Favre overcame two interceptions and engineered a late-scoring drive as the Green Bay Packers maintained their slim playoff hopes with a 9-7 victory over the Vikings.

Dave Rayner kicked three field goals, including the game-winner from 44 yards out with 1:34 remaining for the Packers (7-8), who are battling Philadelphia (8-6), the New York Giants (7-7) and Atlanta (7-7) for the two NFC wild card spots.

"You can't think (of the playoffs) right now," Packers cornerback Al Harris said. "It's out of our hands. All we got to do is pretty much try to control what we can control. We got to win next week and let the chips fall where they may."

The Packers close out the season at the NFC North champion Chicago on December 31.

Favre, who is contemplating retirement, completed 26-of-50 passes for 285 yards. He did not speak with the media after the game, but coach Mike McCarthy addressed the retirement issue.

"We talked about a few things before the game," he said. "That's really a decision he's fully going to make after the season. Just to share our conversation, he's under contract and we'd like to have him back. We're gonna take the time and talk after the season.

"But if it was, I thought that the crowd was phenomenal and I think it's definitely a game he'll remember."

Favre almost gave away the game with a third-quarter interception. He threw a ball intended for Greg Jennings in the left flat, but Fred Smoot stepped in front, picked it off and raced 47 yards for a touchdown that gave Minnesota a 7-6 lead with 5:10 to play in the period.

"I saw (Favre) cock his arm and I went for the ball. It was a reaction play," Smoot said. "We were in man-to-man so I knew that if I got a good jump on it that could take it to the house."

To that point Minnesota, which was debuting rookie Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, had converted just two first downs en route to setting a new franchise low with three for the game.

"You can't have nine out of 13 series to be three-and-out and expect to beat anybody," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. "We knew that with Tarvaris starting that we would have to be able to support him with the run game or making plays in the passing game. You have to make plays when they come to you."

Favre rallied the Packers on their last drive of the game for his 36th come-from-behind fourth-quarter victory. The key play was a 36-yard pass play to Ruvell Martin that advanced the ball to the Minnesota 27.

"It was just a run-pass check and I don't know what (Favre) saw, but he saw something and checked off to a pass," Martin said.

Green Bay appeared to be on the verge of scoring a touchdown after a 30-yard screen pass to Ahman Green brought the ball to the Minnesota 4, but a holding penalty against Bubba Franks brought the ball back.

Two plays later, Rayner booted the ball right down the middle to give the Packers the lead.

"I was very happy for Dave. That's his first game-winning field goal and it couldn't have come against a better football team," McCarthy said. "Especially after the first half he had, with the slip and the one off the uprights."

Green Bay was able to triumph despite three turnovers, including a fumble by Franks at the goal line with 8:42 left, and two missed kicks.

"Bubba's a pro. He's like everyone else," McCarthy said. "You learn from the negatives and make sure they turn into positives. Ball security is something that, frankly, has been a problem the last four out of five games. Our giveaways are something we need to get fixed."

Rayner admitted he was thinking about redemption after missing a 38- and 34-yard field goals in the first half.

"I had to make that kick because I missed the two chippies in the first half," he said. "I just wanted an opportunity to hit a game-winner and it worked out well. It's probably the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life, but it worked out well."

Jackson, who was making his first career start, completed 10-of-20 passes for 50 yards. He threw one interception and was sacked three times by NFC sack leader Aaron Kampman.

"It's hard knowing that we didn't do our part, but that is how it is sometimes," Jackson said. "We kind of shot ourselves in the foot with penalties.

"A quarterback is judged by wins and I didn't get a win, so I guess it wasn't good enough today. ... The coaches put me in some good positions to make plays, but we just left some plays on the field. I wasn't nervous as I thought I'd be."

The Vikings (6-9), who were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss, were outgained, 319-104, and committed 10 penalties for 68 yards.