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Favre Sets Yardage Mark, Passing Marino

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By R.B. FALLSTROM, The Associated Press

Published: December 17, 2007

ST. LOUIS - A simple slant pattern to his favorite receiver gave Brett Favre yet another record in a milestone season.

It's been a pretty big year for his team, too. The Green Bay Packers secured a first-round playoff bye for the first time since 1997.

"I say every time this happens that I'm honored," Favre said. "I would much rather win. I'm tickled to death that I've had a chance to break these records and be a part of all these wonderful things."

Favre threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns, eclipsing Dan Marino to become the NFL career leader in yards passing, in a 33-14 victory against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. Greg Jennings and Donald Lee caught scoring passes and kicker Mason Crosby was 4-for-4 from 44, 50, 25 and 46 yards for Green Bay, which needed only to win for the first-round bye after the Seahawks lost 13-10 to the Panthers.

Green Bay (12-2) also kept pace with the Cowboys for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, and is one victory off the franchise record.

The Packers are 6-1 on the road, losing only at Dallas, and prevailed in a sold-out Edward Jones Dome that appeared to be half-filled with Cheeseheads who filled the downtown streets in the hours before kickoff. When Favre set the record on a 7-yard toss to Donald Driver on the Packers' first drive of the fourth quarter, he had thousands of fans rooting for him, with flashbulbs popping from every corner of the stadium.

The guys on the Rams sideline were impressed, too.

"He's going to give you all that he has," St. Louis defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said. "He's the real deal and everybody knows it."

The Favre-Driver combination has produced 36 touchdown passes, third in franchise history. The record-setting play was supposed to be a run, but Favre has the option of throwing.

"I knew it was coming," Driver said. "He gave me the little look and after that I knew I was going to catch it."

Favre was 19-for-30, throwing his 25th and 26th touchdown passes, with two interceptions - both by O.J. Atogwe. He entered the day needing 184 yards to pass Marino.

Steven Jackson had 143 yards on 23 carries for the Rams (3-11), who are 1-6 at home. The Rams fizzled after tying it at 14 on Jackson's 46-yard run early in the second quarter.

Atari Bigby had a pair of interceptions on deflected passes and Nick Barnett had two of the Packers' four sacks of Marc Bulger, back after missing two games with a concussion.

GB-Grant 1 run (Crosby kick), 9:39.

StL-Holt 4 pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick), 1:11.

Second Quarter

GB-Lee 4 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 14:15.

StL-Jackson 46 run (Wilkins kick), 10:09.

GB-FG Crosby 44, 3:54.

Third Quarter

GB-FG Crosby 50, 10:21.

GB-Jennings 44 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 5:58.

Fourth Quarter

GB-FG Crosby 25, 11:22.

GB-FG Crosby 46, 3:43.

A-66,008.

RUSHING-Green Bay, Grant 18-55, Jackson 2-0, Favre 3-(minus 3). St. Louis, Jackson 24-143, Pittman 6-31, Bulger 1-(minus 1).

PASSING-Green Bay, Favre 19-30-2-227. St. Louis, Bulger 20-39-2-219.

RECEIVING-Green Bay, Driver 5-80, Jennings 4-66, Jones 2-29, Morency 2-17, Robinson 2-16, Grant 2-5, Martin 1-10, Lee 1-4. St. Louis, Bennett 5-65, Bruce 4-72, Jackson 4-27, Holt 3-21, McMichael 2-22, Looker 1-8, Leonard 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOAL-St. Louis, Wilkins 48 (SH).

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