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Favre breaks Marino's TD record as Packers remain unbeaten

Sep 30, 2007 - 11:01 PM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers continue to turn back the clock.

Favre broke Dan Marino's NFL record for career touchdown passes, sparking the unbeaten Packers to a 23-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Favre tossed his record-breaking 421st career touchdown pass on Green Bay's second possession of the game. He hit Greg Jennings on a 16-yard crossing pattern to give the Packers a 7-0 lead with 4:56 left in the first quarter.

"This place (Metrodome) has always been difficult for me to play," Favre said. "I think (in the past) I didn't play up to my capabilities. To play well today and to get it (the record) done was a sigh of relief."

The 17-year veteran, who completed 32-of-45 passes for 344 yards, added to his record by tossing a 33-yard TD strike to rookie James Jones with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Packers needed that score as the Vikings nearly turned a storybook afternoon for Favre into a nightmare finish.

After the Vikings closed to 23-16 on Kelly Holcomb's 16-yard TD pass to Sidney Rice with 1:55 remaining, Favre fumbled after Green Bay recovered an onside kick.

Minnesota reached the Green Bay 34 before safety Atari Bigby sealed the win with an interception on a tipped pass.

"That's a big win for our football team, especially to come up here and win," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "This is a tough place to play. This is a great win for our football team and great to break (the record)."

Favre is enjoying a magical season in which he is re-writing the NFL record book. Two weeks ago in a 35-13 triumph over the New York Giants, he registered his 149th career victory to become the winningest quarterback in NFL history.

A rejuvenated Favre has sparked resurgent Green Bay to its first 4-0 start since 1998.

The Packers posted their eighth straight victory, having ended last season with four straight wins to finish 8-8. Green Bay has not lost since a 38-10 defeat to the New York Jets on December 3.

The Packers are establishing themselves as playoff contenders despite the lack of an effective running game.

"Everyone said, 'I hope you get the record', and I thought to myself, I would much rather win this game, but I think in order for us to win, I'm going to have to throw a touchdown pass," Favre said. "We're in a throw mode right now."

Green Bay, which entered the game ranked last in the NFL in rushing, managed just 46 yards on the ground on 20 carries. The Packers' longest rush was a 15-yard run by Ryan Grant in the fourth quarter.

"Our run game at this point is non-existent," Favre said. "We're 4-0, so I'll keep taking these wins, but I don't think we can win consistently unless we get more balanced."

Green Bay's second-longest play on the ground was a 7-yard gain by John Ryan on a faked punt on the opening possession of the third quarter that enabled the Packers to pick up a first down.

Green Bay converted the successful fake into a 44-yard field goal by rookie Mason Crosby and a 13-6 lead.

The Packers also are winning behind an improving defense, which has been overshadowed due to Favre's exploits.

Green Bay held the Vikings (1-3) to three field goals by former Packer Ryan Longwell until surrendering the late score, and the defense set up the game's first touchdown.

Holcomb hit Jeff Duggan for an 18-yard completion, but Bigby jarred the ball loose and 310-pound tackle Johnathan Jolly returned the fumble 19 yards to the Vikings 46.

Four plays later, Favre found a cutting Jennings over the middle for a touchdown.