Rookie comes through for Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – All those young teammates sometimes make Brett Favre scratch his head, but at least one of them proved he can come through when it counts.

Rookie Mason Crosby hit a 42-yard field goal with two seconds left to give the Green Bay Packers a 16-13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Crosby’s kick was the highlight of a win that featured strong special teams and defense by the Packers.

Despite tying John Elway’s record for career victories by a starting quarterback with 148, Favre and his young supporting cast struggled to score.

“He’d better make ‘em all, now,” said Favre, referring to Crosby and the Packers’ lack of offense.

It was quite an NFL introduction for Crosby, a rookie from Colorado who beat out incumbent Dave Rayner in training camp.

“I kind of got thrown into the fire in the first test,” Crosby said. “But that’s kind of how I like it. It’s exciting.”

It was a so-so return to action for Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who tore a knee ligament last November and finished the regular season on the sidelines for the second straight year. McNabb was 15 of 33 for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Favre was 23 of 42 for 206 yards.

Halfback Brandon Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, filled in for injured starter Vernand Morency and gained 40 yards on 15 carries.