Vikings melting down
Packers capitalize on rival’s mistakes
MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre looked ready for retirement, with six likely meaningless games now left for Minnesota in the epilogue of his 20-year career.
Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay’s swarming defense sure made it clear who’s in charge of this Packers-Vikings rivalry right now.
Rodgers went 22 for 31 for 301 yards, with three of his four touchdown passes going to Greg Jennings. He beat Favre for the second time this season and sent Green Bay to a 31-3 victory over melting-down Minnesota on Sunday.
“This has got me at a loss for words,” Favre began his post-game news conference. “Disappointing would be an understatement.”
The Packers (7-3) emerged fresh from their bye week and kept pace in the NFC North race with the Chicago Bears (7-3), ruining any realistic hope the Vikings (3-7) had left for another shot at the Super Bowl.
Instead, this 100th meeting between these border-state rivals, likely the last for the 41-year-old Favre, was marked by costly turnovers, untimely penalties and even some sideline shouting by the frustrated Vikings to cast further doubt on coach Brad Childress’s future.
Owner Zygi Wilf walked out of a silent locker room without commenting.
“I can’t really talk about that,” Childress said, “because that’s not my decision going forward.”
Favre and close friend Darrell Bevell, the offensive coordinator, were seen on TV snapping at each other on the sideline after an interception late in the first half. Favre said he and Bevell were “fine.”
The “Go Pack Go!” cry grew louder as the game went on.
“I need to say a big thank you to our fans,” Rodgers said.
Packers 31, Vikings 3
| Green Bay | 0 | 17 | 7 | 7 | — | 31 |
| Minnesota | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 |
Min—FG Longwell 24, 6:06.
GB—FG Crosby 42, 9:44.
GB—Jennings 11 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 5:14.
GB—J.Jones 3 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), :05.
GB—Jennings 46 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 12:01.
GB—Jennings 22 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 9:42.
A—64,120.
| GB | Min | |
| First downs | 20 | 15 |
| Total Net Yards | 374 | 300 |
| Rushes-yards | 30-91 | 18-93 |
| Passing | 283 | 207 |
| Punt Returns | 2-11 | 1-5 |
| Kickoff Returns | 2-30 | 6-77 |
| Interceptions Ret. | 1-14 | 0-0 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 23-32-0 | 17-38-1 |
| Sacked-Yards Lost | 3-23 | 1-1 |
| Punts | 5-39.2 | 5-41.6 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| Penalties-Yards | 1-5 | 6-50 |
| Time of Possession | 33:16 | 26:44 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Green Bay, Nance 12-37, Jackson 14-28, Rodgers 3-21, Flynn 1-5. Minnesota, Peterson 14-72, Harvin 2-18, Gerhart 1-3, Favre 1-0.
PASSING—Green Bay, Rodgers 22-31-0-301, Flynn 1-1-0-5. Minnesota, Favre 17-38-1-208.
RECEIVING—Green Bay, Jennings 7-152, Jackson 4-38, Driver 4-31, J.Jones 3-51, Nelson 3-20, Quarless 1-14, D.Lee 1-0. Minnesota, Rice 3-56, Gerhart 3-41, Camarillo 3-27, Lewis 2-40, Harvin 2-12, Shiancoe 2-6, Peterson 1-16, Tahi 1-10.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.