Favre, Packers light up scoreboard

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Brett Favre and his patchwork Packers made up for a month’s worth of misery Sunday.

Favre threw three touchdown passes despite playing without four offensive starters and losing running back Najeh Davenport to a season-ending ankle injury in the second quarter of Green Bay’s 52-3 rout of the New Orleans Saints.

After going three-and-out and giving up a field goal, Green Bay (1-4) scored 52 unanswered points.

“When you have a lot of pent-up frustration, you can kind of explode like that,” kicker Ryan Longwell said after Green Bay’s most lopsided win since Oct. 23, 1966, when it routed Atlanta 56-3.

Davenport scored twice before breaking his right ankle just before halftime and cornerback Al Harris intercepted two passes, broke up three more and recorded a sack as the Packers piled up their most points since scoring 55 against Tampa Bay in 1983.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever played in a game where we scored 50 points,” Favre said. “Who would have guessed it? We’re 0-4, struggling, more guys hurt and even lose guys during the course of the game. But I’ve played long enough to know that if you do things the right way, if you study, prepare and believe, things will go your way.”

The Saints (2-3) couldn’t stop a depleted Packers offense that was missing Pro Bowlers Javon Walker, Ahman Green and Bubba Franks (for all but one snap), and starting center Mike Flanagan. As if that wasn’t enough, both of Green Bay’s tackles were playing on gimpy left legs.

Favre completed 19 of 27 passes for 215 yards before giving way to rookie Aaron Rodgers to start the fourth quarter.