Another Packer Win Brings a Smile to Favre’s Face

Brett Favre danced, shouted and jumped into the waiting arms of teammates. With his Green Bay Packers off to a 3-0 start, the veteran quarterback couldn’t be having a better time.

Favre passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns, two coming after Carolina fumbles, as the Packers rallied for a 28-7 victory over the Panthers on Sunday.

“I really enjoy playing with this football team,” Favre said. “I’ve enjoyed the 10 years I’ve played here, but this year it seems like more so than ever.”

Part of his joy comes from being healthy for the first time in years, but the rest comes from not having to carry the team. The Packers also got two field goals from Ryan Longwell, 128 total yards from running back Ahman Green, and a third consecutive stellar effort on defense--Green Bay held Carolina (1-2) to 169 yards.

Favre, who completed 25 of 39 passes, shook off two early interceptions to lead the Packers to 28 unanswered points and their seventh consecutive victory.

Using a mix of screen passes to Green and deep balls to Bill Schroeder and Antonio Freeman, Favre wore down the defense.

Trailing, 7-6, at halftime, the Packers got their first break when Panther rookie kick returner Steve Smith lost the ball on the opening kickoff at Carolina’s 38.

Favre needed only five plays to give the Packers their first lead, connecting with Schroeder for a 12-yard touchdown.

He then hooked up with Freeman on the two-point conversion and celebrated the 14-7 lead by sprinting off the field with both arms raised.

“The second half was basically just self-destruction,” Panther Coach George Seifert said.

Green Bay’s defense, meanwhile, was too much for quarterback Chris Weinke, who was 18 of 30 for 160 yards with one interception.