Favre, Packers rally to 9-7 win

It might have been Brett Favre’s final fling at Lambeau Field, and it wasn’t pretty.

But after nearly throwing the game away, Favre helped the Green Bay Packers pull out yet another come-from-behind victory.

Favre threw a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown in the third quarter, then rallied the Packers for a late field goal and a 9-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

Packers kicker Dave Rayner, who had missed two field goals earlier in the game, made a 44-yarder with 1:34 left.

It was the 36th game-winning comeback for Favre, who has not yet announced whether he will play next season and did not speak with reporters after the game.

He held the ball aloft after the game, hugged a couple of former teammates now with the Vikings, safety Darren Sharper and kicker Ryan Longwell. He also saluted his family in a Lambeau skybox, along with the fans surrounding the tunnel to the locker room.

“I’m hoping he comes back and I get more opportunities” for interceptions, said Sharper, who picked off Favre’s next pass after the touchdown return. “Talking to him after the game, he looked like he didn’t know either.”

For now, the quarterback helped the Packers (7-8) keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

The Vikings (6-9) managed only three first downs all game, the lowest total in a game in team history.

“You can’t have nine out of 13 series go three and out and beat anybody,” Vikings Coach Brad Childress said.

But it didn’t seem to matter after cornerback Fred Smoot returned Favre’s pass 47 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter, giving Minnesota a 7-6 lead.

Favre looked down the left sideline for rookie receiver Greg Jennings, but threw the ball directly into Smoot’s hands as Jennings continued running down the field. Smoot tried to celebrate by doing a “Lambeau Leap” but was pushed back onto the field by fans.

Favre finished the game 26 for 50 for 285 yards with the two interceptions. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass for the second straight game, meaning he still needs eight more touchdown passes to break Dan Marino’s career record of 420.