The Packer Pundit

Favre throws three TDs
as Packers beat Panthers
Associated Press
Brett Favre won the senior bowl, throwing three touchdowns in the Green Bay Packers' 31-17 victory over fellow passing patriarch Vinny Testaverde and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. It was Favre's 62nd career game with at least three touchdown passes, tying yet another of Dan Marino's records. The 44-year-old Testaverde and 38-year-old Favre formed the oldest starting quarterbacks duo in NFL history. But Favre is playing like he's in his prime these days, completing 22-of-30 passes for 218 yards on Sunday.

Testaverde was out of the league a little more than a month ago, and played Sunday's game without injured receiver Steve Smith. He threw two second-half touchdowns after the Panthers fell behind 28-3, but was intercepted twice. It was the first of three games in 12 days for the Packers (9-1), who play at Detroit on Thanksgiving and at Dallas the following Thursday. It was only the second road loss of the season for the Panthers (4-6), who are winless at home. Green Bay has a three-game lead on Detroit and can virtually wrap up the NFC North with a win Thursday.

Favre got off to a slow start, but found his rhythm on the Packers' first possession of the second quarter. He lofted a 47-yard pass to Donald Driver to move the Packers into Panthers territory; zinged a rocket to James Jones to set up first-and-goal on the 5; then tossed a soft changeup to Greg Jennings on a slant route to put the Packers ahead 14-3. Favre led the Packers to another touchdown later in the second quarter, finding tight end Donald Lee on a post pattern for a 26-yard score.

The Panthers had a scoring chance just before halftime after a late hit by Packers middle linebacker Nick Barnett and pass interference call on cornerback Jarrett Bush. At the Green Bay 7 with 16 seconds remaining, Corey Williams forced a fumble and Aaron Kampman recovered the ball. Green Bay's Koren Robinson returned the second-half kickoff 67 yards to the Carolina 28, and Favre found Lee for a 12-yard touchdown pass four plays later. Lee's second touchdown of the day put the Packers ahead 28-3. Charles Woodson intercepted Testaverde on the next play from scrimmage, but Mason Crosby missed a 49-yard field goal.

On Carolina's next drive, Testaverde threw a 2-yard pass to tight end Christian Fauria, who launched into an enthusiastic end-zone celebration with his team trailing by three scores. Testaverde threw a 5-yard touchdown to Dwayne Jarrett to cut Green Bay's lead to 28-17 with 4:22 left. Green Bay scored its first touchdown on special teams when Tramon Williams returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown when Carolina kicker John Kasay punted after faking a field goal attempt.


Game Stats




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