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Woodson Return Lifts Green Bay Past Minnesota

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By CHRIS JENKINS, The Associated Press

Published: October 15, 2007

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Cornerback Charles Woodson scooped up the ball - and lifted the spirits of the Green Bay Packers' suddenly sagging offense.

Woodson's 57-yard fumble return in the third quarter gave the Packers the go-ahead touchdown in a 17-14 victory against the Washington Redskins at soggy Lambeau Field on Sunday.

'It was a big play today,' Woodson said. 'Hopefully, I have many more to come.'

With Green Bay's previously top-ranked passing offense sputtering and the Packers trailing 14-10 late in the third quarter, defensive lineman Corey Williams stripped Redskins receiver Santana Moss on an end-around. Woodson picked up the ball and ran to the end zone.

The Packers (5-1) won despite an off day from Brett Favre, who became the NFL's career interception king with an errant pass picked off by Redskins safety Sean Taylor in the third quarter.

'I could care less,' Favre said. 'We won the game. I'm glad it's over, just like the other records. We're 5-1, so it feels a lot better than having no picks and being 1-5.'

Despite Favre's off day - he was 19 of 37 for 188 yards and threw a second interception to Taylor in the fourth quarter - the Packers recovered from their first loss of the season against Chicago last Sunday, regaining momentum as they head into their bye.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the Redskins were the best team the Packers have played so far, but he still hasn't seen his young team play a complete game.

'We feel good about being 5-1, but we're a team that needs to clean our house,' McCarthy said.

The Redskins (3-2) baffled a pass-happy NFC North offense for the second week in a row after beating Detroit, but offensive mistakes cost them Sunday. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said his team's fumbles and dropped passes weren't acceptable, even in wet conditions.

'Certainly that's no excuse for us,' Gibbs said. 'We're out in it, and we've got to make the catches.'

Between the fumble and a subsequent leg cramp, Moss apparently was so upset that he took himself out of the game.

'I took myself out,' Moss said. 'Something wasn't feeling right with me, and why go out there and keep another guy from helping us win? There was stuff going on and I wasn't making the plays that I should have been making.'

Gibbs didn't blame Moss for the loss.

'You've got to look at that and say, 'That's something that just happened to us today,'' Gibbs said. 'Certainly, we've got great confidence in him and he means a lot to us.'

GB-Wynn 3 run (Crosby kick), 8:16.

Was-J.Campbell 6 run (Suisham kick), 3:43.

Second Quarter

Was-Cooley 14 pass from J.Campbell (Suisham kick), 1:11.

Third Quarter

GB-FG Crosby 37, 3:03.

GB-Woodson 57 fumble return (Crosby kick), 2:05.

A-70,761.

RUSHING-Washington, Portis 20-64, Sellers 3-14, Betts 3-10, Campbell 2-6, Moss 1-0. Green Bay, Wynn 13-37, Morency 4-11, Favre 3-8.

PASSING-Washington, Campbell 21-37-1-217. Green Bay, Favre 19-37-2-188.

RECEIVING-Washington, Cooley 9-105, Portis 3-25, Betts 3-21, Randle El 2-30, McCardell 2-30, Yoder 1-5, Sellers 1-1. Green Bay, Driver 5-38, Morency 5-23, Lee 3-75, Jennings 3-20, Hall 2-14, Martin 1-18.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Green Bay, Crosby 46 (WL), 38 (WL).

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