Favre Unkind to Lions in a Variety of Ways

Brett Favre’s hand was feeling so good that he couldn’t resist using it to give the Detroit Lions a little payback.

After watching a taunting Lion secondary beat him at Detroit earlier this year, Favre returned the treatment with two gleeful throat-slitting gestures while the Green Bay Packers pulled away from the Lions for a 26-17 victory Sunday.

Favre, who was 26 for 40 for 309 yards and no interceptions, twice taunted Lion cornerback Robert Bailey, who had done the same in Detroit’s 23-15 victory in September. The second gesture earned Favre an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a possible fine from Coach Ray Rhodes. Favre said he’d be happy to pay the fine.

“I’m not that type of player, but I guess I was today,” said Favre, who added that his injured thumb felt better than it has all season. “I always say, ‘Those guys shouldn’t do that. It looks bad.’ And then I’m out there doing it.”

Dorsey Levens had 146 total yards, Ryan Longwell kicked four field goals and the Green Bay defense shut out the Lions in the second half. The victory ended a losing streak at three games for the Packers, who had also lost two in a row at home.

It also dropped the Lions (6-4) into a three-way tie with Minnesota, which was idle, and Tampa Bay, which beat Atlanta on Sunday, for the NFC Central lead. Green Bay (5-5) is one game back.

Levens set career-highs with 10 receptions for 99 yards.