• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Packers rout Raiders to clinch NFC North

Dec 9, 2007 - 11:25 PM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- The Green Bay Packers were in a mood to celebrate.

The Packers rode the strong special teams play of Wil Blackmon and the running of Ryan Grant to a 38-7 rout of the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Blackmon scored two touchdowns and Grant rushed for 156 yards on 29 carries as Green Bay (11-2) clinched its first NFC North Division title since 2004.

"I don't know if too many people gave us a shot to be in this position, and it says a lot about the team," Packers quarterback Brett Favre said. "I'm feeling good about my decision to come back. It sure makes it look like it was the right decision."

It is an impressive turnaround for a team that finished 4-12 in 2005 and was 4-8 after 12 games last year. Since then, the Packers have won 15 of their last 17 contests.

On a frigid 18-degree afternoon at Lambeau Field, Green Bay also moved closer to clinching a first-round bye for the first time since 1997.

"It (division title) is the first step in reaching our goal," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "We still have some business left here in the next three games, but it's definitely the first check off our list."

Despite a bruised right elbow and left shoulder separation suffered in a 37-27 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Favre made his 250th consecutive start.

Favre was limited but overcame a slow start to throw two touchdown passes in the second half, including an 80-yard strike to Greg Jennings in the third quarter that turned the contest into a rout.

"The elbow and shoulder will be a little sore tomorrow," Favre said. "My elbow was not 100 percent and I was not able to throw it with a whole lot of velocity."

"He is a lot more cunning," Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp said of Favre. "Still fun to see him, see the old man go out and do his thing."

On this day, however, Favre was overshadowed by Blackmon, who returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, then recovered Tim Dwight's fumble in the end zone for another score in the third period.

"We're just going out there and making plays," Blackmon said. "We needed a spark somewhere, so special teams contributed."

The Packers also have found a ground game, as Grant has been the league's top rusher since Week 8, running for 717 yards in the last six contests.

"We have a great game plan every week," Grant said. "We feel like if we execute and play our game, good things will happen."

While Favre finished 15-of-23 for 266 yards, the Packers did not need much from their 38-year-old quarterback as they dominated in every facet of the game.

The Packers made life miserable for Raiders starter Josh McCown, who was benched in the fourth quarter after completing only 7-of-15 passes for 110 yards.

To make things worse for the Raiders, McCown said he was battling a stomach virus.

"I woke up this morning and my stomach was hurting," he said. "The way it came on so quick, I thought it was food poisoning."

Favre struggled to get untracked early and Green Bay's offense failed to cash in opportunities in the first half.

The Packers drove deep into Oakland territory on their first two possessions but came away empty, turning the ball over on downs and losing possession on Favre's interception.

In the second quarter, rookie kicker Mason Crosby missed a 44-yard field.

But Grant got the Packers going, as his 6-yard TD run opened the scoring with 8:56 left in the first half.

"We're playing fundamentally sound," Grant added. "The guys are hungry, the guys want it."

The Packers forced a three-and-out, and Blackmon's punt return gave Green Bay a 14-0 lead with 5:44 left in the first half.

Oakland put together its best drive before halftime, closing to 14-7 on McCown's 25-yard TD strike to Jerry Porter with 33 seconds left in the half.

Favre was just 8-of-14 yards for 77 yards in the first half. However, the Raiders collapsed after intermission, and the Packers took full advantage to score 24 unanswered points.