Favre Gets a Hand

Brett Favre’s commanding performance in Sunday’s 26-17 victory over the Lions may have surprised most of those who have watched him struggle this season, but not his Green Bay Packer teammates.

The improvements in the quarterback’s bruised right hand were first noticeable in practice last week, where his teammates said he was zinging the ball with his customary ferocity. One of his throws hit rookie defensive back Fred Vinson squarely in the stomach, nearly bringing Vinson to tears while his teammates laughed.

“[Favre] looked as good as he has looked all season,” said running back Dorsey Levens, who caught a career-high 10 passes for 99 yards in Sunday’s victory. “He could grip the ball the way he wanted to and put a little juice behind it.”

Said Favre: “I’m sure some of these people [at Lambeau Field] had forgotten how I throw the ball.”

He said his hand feels better now than it has since July.

In Minnesota, Viking fans are again talking about a Super Bowl run thanks to quarterback Jeff George, who has won four consecutive games for the first time in his tumultuous 10-year career.

“I’m just fortunate I have a ton of weapons,” said George, who connected with Randy Moss 12 times for 204 yards in the Vikings’ victory over the Chicago Bears on Nov. 14 and has hooked up with Cris Carter 34 times for 502 yards and eight touchdowns. “They’re still getting used to me and I’m still getting used to them. Guys are starting to think like me. I’m starting to think like them.”

Carter had only one touchdown catch in 5 1/2 games with Randall Cunningham at quarterback.