Favre is Flawless Against the Packers

Skeptics argued that when the Vikings faced the Packers this season, Favre would revert back to his gun slinging days of forcing the ball into tight windows. On Sunday and in Week 4, Favre was poised and disciplined against his former team.

In both games, Favre was a combined 41 for 59, 515 yards and 7 touchdowns. The most impressive aspect of both these performances was that Favre was not sacked once. His counterpart was sacked 14 times in both games and was forced to throw 37 and 41 times, respectively, in Week 4 and on Sunday.

As I suggested in my pre-game analysis, Favre would have to tame his emotions and work within the context of the running offense. He did just that, making throws when he had to and capitalizing on the opportunities that were presented.

His four-touchdown performance on Sunday tied him with Dan Marino (for the most four-touchdown games in the NFL [21]). This impressive feat did not occur by Favre throwing it all over Lambeau Field. Instead, it came when the Vikings had to pass, to which Favre made several perfect throws.

Of course it helps when the Packers are focused on stopping the best running back in the league, as well as the fleet of receivers and tightends at Favre’s disposal. But, Favre still had to make the throws in the redzone to cap off drives, which he did masterfully.

Although Favre was diplomatic in his post-game pressers, deep down one could tell that these two wins meant more to him than any others. His former general manager forced him to either be a back up or play on a non-contending team, both aspects that clearly offended Favre.

Favre never said the word “payback” in his responses to questions about his feelings on beating the Packers on Sunday and in Week 4, but one can infer that such a term was on the forefront of his mind.

[Shahaab Tehrani can be reached at: shahaabt@yahoo.com]