Favre-Reaching Effect for Vikings

Playing at the Metrodome never seems to work out well for the Green Bay Packers.

Not even with the league’s best record. Not even against the worst Minnesota Viking team in nearly two decades.

Daunte Culpepper threw for two touchdowns and ran for another one, and the Vikings intercepted Brett Favre three times Sunday in a 31-21 victory.

“At some point before I retire,” Favre said, “I’d like to get another win in here.”

The Packers (8-2) have lost nine of 11 at the Metrodome and missed a chance to clinch a division title at the earliest stage of a 16-game season.

Minnesota’s 31st-ranked defense held Ahman Green to 71 yards and kept Favre -- who was 24 for 42 for 296 yards and two touchdowns -- out of rhythm in the fourth quarter.

After Vikings (3-7) took a 24-21 lead on Gary Anderson’s 32-yard field goal with 7:16 left, the Packers went three-and-out on their next two possessions.

“We had to keep people in his face and keep the pressure on him,” Viking defensive end Kenny Mixon said of Favre. “If we don’t get a sack, but we get an interception, we’ll take it.”

Michael Bennett’s 62-yard run just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter set up a three-yard touchdown run by Moe Williams -- his 10th of the season.

Bennett finished with 130 yards in 20 carries -- his fourth consecutive 100-yard game.

Randy Moss was also productive with six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings. Culpepper was 13 for 26 for 217 yards, though he did add three more turnovers to his league-high total of 22.

But after being benched in favor of Todd Bouman for the fourth quarter last week, he responded with several completions and sack-avoiding scrambles in critical situations.

“I feel like I can make a lot of plays in this league for a long time,” said Culpepper, in his third season as a starter.

“I just have to play like myself.”