Packers Fade Without Favre

The New York Giants left Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers wobbly.

Tiki Barber rushed for 182 yards and scored on a 52-yard touchdown run, and Kurt Warner threw a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey in a 14-7 victory Sunday at Lambeau Field, where Favre was knocked from the game with a concussion.

“This was a phenomenal win for us,” defensive end Michael Strahan said of the 3-1 Giants. “Our rate of improvement has been quicker than I expected.”

The Packers, mired in a mess with cornerback Mike McKenzie and trying to overcome infighting and injuries, fell to 1-3 for the first time since 1993.

Favre sustained a concussion when defensive lineman William Joseph knocked him to the ground in the third quarter. Favre, waving backup Doug Pederson to the sideline, went back in two plays later on fourth and five and floated a 28-yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker for a 7-0 lead.

“I wasn’t surprised that he came back in and threw a touchdown pass like he did,” Strahan said.

The Packers’ medical staff sure was -- they hadn’t cleared Favre to return to action. Packer Coach Mike Sherman said he turned to Favre and asked if he was OK. Favre said yes, so in he went.

“The doctors told me after that they didn’t want him back in the ballgame,” Sherman said.

So, Favre was done for the day.

Favre, who extended his NFL quarterbacks record to 212 consecutive starts, didn’t speak to reporters afterward. Several teammates said they doubted his starting streak was in jeopardy.

Warner said that when they spoke on the field afterward, Favre was fuzzy. “I talked to him just for a minute to see how he was feeling. He didn’t remember the touchdown play,” Warner said. “You knew he wasn’t quite right.”