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Defense lifts Packers to victory over Redskins

Oct 14, 2007 - 10:35 PM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Brett Favre broke George Blanda's NFL record for career interceptions. Thanks to the defense, Favre and the Green Bay Packers can laugh about it.

Cornerback Charles Woodson returned a fumble by Santana Moss 57 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter, sparking the Packers to a 17-14 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

"It provides a huge lift when any of our guys make a play and Charles had the biggest play of the game, which I think clearly ignited our football team," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

Woodson's fumble return was one of two huge plays for Green Bay's defense, which blanked the Redskins in the second half.

With under seven minutes remaining, Washington reached the Green Bay 33 after Packers rookie Mason Crosby missed his second field goal of the game.

But linebacker Nick Barnett stopped Ladell Betts for no gain on a 4th-and-2 completion, turning the ball over on downs.

Despite an erratic performance by Favre, Green Bay rebounded from last week's 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears and takes a 5-1 record into its bye week.

"We have gotten off to a good start," Woodson said. "We are now 5-1 with a bye. Our focus is to become 6-1."

Favre, who entered the weekend as the NFL's leader in passing yards, completed 19-of-37 passes for 188 yards - the first time in four games he was held under 300 yards.

Green Bay also overcame a virtually non-existent rushing attack that amassed just 56 yards. DeShawn Wynn was the Packers' leading rusher with only 37 yards.

"I hate to say winning ugly is important, but as good as we looked in phases last week, we lost," Favre said. "We're winning and as tough as that loss was last week, this win is equally as rewarding."

In the first half, Favre was outplayed by fellow Mississippi native Jason Campbell, whose 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Cooley with 1:11 left in the first half gave the Redskins (3-2) a 14-7 halftime lead.

On Green Bay's first possession of the second half, Favre threw his 248th career interception - one more than Blanda - when he was picked off by safety Sean Taylor on the Redskins 15.

The Packers forced a three-and-out, however, and closed to 14-10 on Crosby's 37-yard field goal.

Rock Cartwright returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the Packers' 48-yard line but tackle Corey Williams stripped Moss, who got the ball on an inside reverse.

Woodson scooped up the fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Packers a 17-14 lead with 2:05 left in the third quarter.

"It was Lambeau Field," Woodson said. "It was rainy and kind of cold - the kind of weather I grew up playing in. You have to be away of the ball on a slippery day like today. You have to be ready for that in Lambeau."

Green Bay was unable to extend the lead when Crosby's 38-yard field caromed off the right upright with 9:32 remaining. Crosby also missed a 46-yard attempt on the final play of the first half.

Moss returned after missing last week's game with a groin injury but had no receptions.

"(Turnovers) are a standard thing in the NFL," Washington coach Joe Gibbs said. "It has been going on for years. Turnovers are a part of this game, and when you are on the negative side of it, you usually lose."

After Woodson's touchdown, Moss dropped a pass inside the Green Bay 10, and Washington was forced to punt. It was one of six drops by the Redskins.

"The weather was a little wet and a little misty," Gibbs added. "We work in this weather every day, so that is certainly no excuse for us. We have to make the catches."

Campbell completed 21-of-37 passes for 217 yards. His favorite target was Cooley, who grabbed nine receptions for 101 yards and caught a touchdown pass for the fourth straight game.

"We lost a major opportunity," Campbell said. "We had all the opportunities to win the game and we didn't make the plays."

With 4:14 remaining, Taylor intercepted Favre again but the Redskins went nowhere, losing 12 yards before being forced to give up the ball again.