Favre's 3 TDs lead Pack past Panthers

From MOP Squad Sports

Green Bay Packers
Favre's 3 TDs lead Pack past Panthers
By CHRIS JENKINS, AP Sports Writer
Nov 18, 2007 - 5:57:43 PM

GREEN BAY, Wis. - 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.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre reacts to a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Sept. 18, 2007, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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 Drew Carter 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.