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Packers neutralize Peterson, rout Vikings

Nov 11, 2007 - 11:08 PM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- The Green Bay Packers showed that the best way to neutralize rookie phenom Adrian Peterson is to keep him off the field and get the ball into Brett Favre's hands as much as possible.

Favre threw three touchdown passes and joined Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to pass for 60,000 yards as the Packers coasted to a 34-0 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Playing in front of a Lambeau Field record crowd of 70,945, Green Bay posted its fourth straight win and improved to 8-1, matching the best start of Favre's career.

Favre also started 8-1 in 1996 - when he won his only Super Bowl - and 2002.

"Do I think we're a great team?" Favre said. "I don't know what you would classify great as. I think our record would indicate that we're pretty good."

The Packers kept Peterson off the field with a ball-control offense, maintaining possession for just under 20 minutes in the first half, when they built a 13-0 lead.

"That's clearly our best performance of the year and that's what you're looking for," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

Last week, Peterson rushed for an NFL-record 296 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

But against Green Bay, Peterson carried only nine times in the first half for 45 yards and carried just twice in the second half before leaving with a knee injury.

"It looks like a sprained right knee," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "He wanted to come back but with the way it was, we held him out."

At halftime, Green Bay held a 241-67 edge in total offense, and it didn't get any better for the Vikings in the second half.

With Green Bay dominating time of possession, Favre exploited the Vikings' tired defense, passing 31 times in the first half alone.

Favre finished 33-of-46 for 351 yards, including a 1-yard connection to Donald Lee with 9:32 remaining in the third quarter that was his 200th career touchdown pass at Lambeau Field.

"Favre is a great player," Childress added. "At his age, he is throwing to what is working for him, using his tools, allowing his guys to make plays. It was Football 101."

Favre, who surpassed 300 yards for the sixth time this season, also threw TD passes of 8 and 17 yards to Ruvell Martin in the second half.

"I (still) think there's so much more out there for us to do to be more consistent in all phases," Favre said.

After the Vikings (3-6) went three-and-out to open the game, the Packers marched 82 yards on 12 plays on their initial possession to grab a 7-0 lead on Ryan Grant's 30-yard touchdown with 7:25 remaining.

Grant, whose role has increased due to the season-ending shoulder injury to DeShawn Wynn, stole some thunder from Peterson.

He became the first running back to reach the century mark against the Vikings this season, rushing for 119 yards on 25 carries.

"We had to set a tone (on the ground)," Grant said. "But as good as their rush defense is, we felt like if we execute, if we take care of our part, good things will happen."

It was the second 100-yard game in three weeks for Grant, who gained 104 yards in a 19-13 overtime win at Denver in Week Eight.

"It (generating a running game) was something that we've been giving a lot of emphasis," McCarthy said. "It starts up front. I thought the run-blocking unit did an excellent job."

Rookie Mason Crosby added field goals of 19 and 26 yards in the second quarter to give the Packers their 13-0 lead.

Forced to start Brooks Bollinger with Tarvaris Jackson sidelined due to a discussion, Minnesota's offense struggled throughout.

"You never go into a football game expecting something like this," Bollinger said. " Coming off last week, we felt like we had some confidence but for whatever reason, it didn't carry over."

The Vikings had a 1st-and-goal at the 7 early in the fourth quarter, but they were turned back as cornerback Charles Woodson intercepted Bollinger, who completed 16-of-26 passes for 176 yards.

Green Bay recorded its first shutout since blanking Buffalo, 10-0, on December 22, 2002, a span of 74 games.