Favre performs Monday magic

DENVER -- It was another signature play in a career that is full of them.

On the first play following the kickoff in overtime, Brett Favre connected on an 82-yard touchdown pass with Greg Jennings and the Green Bay Packers defeated the Denver Broncos, 19-13, on Monday night.

Denver had tied the score at 13-13 on Jason Elam’s 21-yard field goal as time ran out in regulation, setting the stage for Favre.

“I feel like I’ve been on some better teams, but it’s hard to doubt this team,” Favre said. “That was fun. I can’t wait to watch the tape.”

It was the second-longest touchdown pass in NFL overtime history. On Nov. 10, 1985, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski and wide receiver Mike Quick combined on a 99-yard play.

Green Bay (6-1) won the coin toss and on the first play, Jennings was matched up in man-to-man coverage on the left side. Favre, who threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to James Jones in the first half, hit Jennings in stride at the Denver 40. Cornerback Dre’ Bly had no shot at catching the speedy wide receiver, who trotted into the end zone as Favre rushed to celebrate Green Bay’s first 6-1 start in five years.

The Broncos (3-4) sent it into overtime with a drive that began at their seven-yard line with 2:27 left.

Out of timeouts, the field-goal unit scrambled onto the field and Elam calmly nailed the kick, just as he did two months ago when the Broncos ran the same fire drill to beat Buffalo as time expired in the opener.

Some of Favre’s best moments have come on Monday night, from his incredible game in Oakland following the death of his father to his game-winner to Antonio Freeman in overtime against Minnesota.

Now he’s 6-1 for the third time in his career.

Favre completed 21of 27 passes for 331 yards.

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was 21 of 34 for 264 yards.

Favre also drove Green Bay 98 yards for a field goal, and the Packers, last in the league in rushing, found a ground game against the NFL’s worst run defense.

Ryan Grant came in when DeShawn Wynn went down early because of an injured shoulder and gained 104 yards in 22 carries.