Favre Best at Driving a Clutch

Facing a seven-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter after one of his familiar, costly mistakes, Brett Favre brought Green Bay back again.

For a Packer team that lost four of its first five games, this probably didn’t seem like all that much trouble.

Favre guided a 76-yard drive to set up Ryan Longwell’s game-ending 29-yard field goal, lifting the Packers to a 34-31 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Friday and clinching a third consecutive NFC North title.

“Never give up. That’s been this team’s M.O. all season,” Favre said, “because we could’ve quit a long time ago.”

The Packers (9-6) trailed, 31-24, with 8:18 left after Favre’s third-down throw from his end zone was intercepted by Chris Claiborne and returned 15 yards for a touchdown.

The Vikings (8-7), though, couldn’t get what they needed from a pass defense that has struggled all season. Donald Driver -- who had 11 receptions for 162 yards -- made a nifty, falling-down catch of Favre’s pass on a fourth-and-goal play from the three to tie it at 31 with 3:34 remaining after an 80-yard drive.

“We needed one more play somewhere, and we just didn’t do it,” center Matt Birk said. “It’s a disappointing loss, but there is a tomorrow and we’re still very much in the hunt.”

Minnesota, which can clinch a wild-card playoff spot with a loss by either Carolina or St. Louis this weekend, appeared on its way to retaking the lead. But a holding penalty on Birk -- the Vikings were flagged nine times for 78 yards -- wiped out a 16-yard run by Michael Bennett that would have given them the ball at the Green Bay 40 just before the two-minute warning.

“When we watch film, we’re going to kick ourselves,” said Daunte Culpepper, who completed 16 of 23 passes for 285 yards, no interceptions and three touchdowns on three consecutive passes in a wild second quarter in which 38 points were scored.

After a punt, Favre got the ball at his 13 with 1:35 left. Twelve plays later, Longwell’s kick sailed through the uprights -- sending the Packers into celebration on their biggest rival’s home field.

“We’re always confident,” Driver said. “We knew we could score.”

Favre completed 30 of 43 passes for 365 yards, three touchdowns and the interception. Ahman Green, who left briefly because of a head injury, carried 19 times for 64 yards and a score.

Viking Coach Mike Tice became upset with officials in the first half when they stopped the clock for a measurement, which allowed Green Bay time to gather for a fourth-and-one play that resulted in Longwell booting a 42-yard field goal as the half ended.

Tice chucked his clipboard and pencil to the turf when the officials stopped the clock. Those three points proved to be the winning margin.

“I didn’t quite understand the logic behind giving them a timeout for measurement when the clock was running, they were out of timeouts,” Tice said.

“What were they measuring for? To go for a first down?”

If the Packers win at Chicago next week -- they’re 5-2 on the road -- they’ll secure the No. 3 seeding for the playoffs. They’re already guaranteed a first-round home game.

“At 1-4, I don’t think many people thought we’d win the division,” Favre said.

“This team has battled all year, and today was no different.”

Thanks to a lackluster NFC, it will take a lot for the Vikings to miss the postseason even if they lose their last game at Washington.