NFL: Packers Rout Vikings 34-0

Packers Rout Vikings 34-0


GREEN BAY, Wis. - Brett Favre passed another milestone and the Green Bay Packers roughed up rookie running back Adrian Peterson in a 34-0 rout of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Favre joined Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 60,000 career yards, as the Packers (8-1) went back to their short passing game after winning their last two games on a pair of deep passes from Favre.

The Packers were leading 27-0 late in the third quarter when Adrian Peterson caught a pass from Vikings quarterback Brooks Bollinger and was tackled low by cornerback Al Harris, injuring his knee.

After spending several minutes on the ground, Adrian Peterson was helped back to the bench, where the Vikings' medical staff appeared to be examining his right knee. He did not return to the game.

It was another tough blow for the Vikings (3-6), who had hoped to carry over some momentum from Adrian Peterson's NFL-record 296-yard rushing performance in a victory over San Diego last Sunday.

Adrian Peterson was having a hard time even before the injury. With Bollinger unable to muster a significant passing threat, the Packers ganged up on Adrian Peterson and held him to 45 yards on 11 carries through the first three quarters.

Adrian Peterson wasn't the only star to take a hard knock on Sunday.

With the Packers leading 20-0 in the third quarter, Favre slid on a scramble and was hit in the helmet by an elbow. Minnesota defensive end Kenechi Udeze was called for a personal foul on the play.

Favre appeared to be shaken up but remained in the game, driving the Packers deep into Vikings territory and throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ruvell Martin on third-and-goal to put the Packers ahead 27-0.

Favre threw another touchdown to Martin in the fourth quarter after Vikings defensive backs Darren Sharper and Cedric Griffin collided in the end zone and the ball bounced off them and into Martin's hands.

Favre was 33-of-46 for 351 yards and three touchdowns before he was relieved by backup Aaron Rodgers with just under four minutes left in the game. Favre broke Marino's record for career touchdown passes against the Vikings earlier this year, and now trails Marino's all-time passing yardage mark by 1,105 yards.

Favre got a rare boost from the Packers' usually dormant running game on Sunday.

Ryan Grant had 81 yards in the first quarter, including a 30-yard touchdown run that gave the Packers an early 7-0 lead. He finished with 119 yards against a tough Vikings defense.

The Vikings finally put together a drive early in the fourth quarter, but were turned away when Charles Woodson intercepted Bollinger on the goal line.

It was an unhappy homecoming for Bollinger, a former University of Wisconsin quarterback who started in place of injured quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Bollinger got off to a rough start, completing 3-of-6 for only seven yards as the Vikings held the ball only 10:01 in the first half. He finished the game 16-of-26 for 176 yards.

[www.newsday.com]