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Favre Becomes Winningest QB

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By TOM CANAVAN, The Associated Press

Published: September 17, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Brett Favre didn't need a rocket arm to become the winningest quarterback in NFL history on Sunday. His 17 years of football knowledge and a near-perfect second half against a bad defense were plenty.

Favre completed his first 14 second-half passes and threw three touchdown passes to rally the Green Bay Packers to a 35-13 victory against the New York Giants' porous defense.

'Maybe someday down the road it will mean a lot,' a typically humble Favre said after the 149th win of his career, moving past Hall of Famer John Elway.

What meant more to Favre was the game ball his teammates handed him after the Packers got off to their first 2-0 start since 2001.

'I'm not going to sit here and lie to you,' added Favre, who was 29 of 38 for 286 yards and one interception. 'I'm not going to turn it down. I've always been about the team. That hasn't changed. I think it's unfair that the quarterback gets labeled with wins and losses. I think it's a team effort.'

While Favre refused to bask in the glory, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said any NFL record is a monumental achievement.

'I think a lot is made of statistics and touchdowns, but I think it's wins,' McCarthy said. 'When you go out and win over that period of time, that's the ultimate compliment a quarterback can have.'

The loss was the second straight for the undisciplined and error-prone Giants, which hasn't happened at the start of a season since 1996 - the year Dan Reeves got fired.

Tom Coughlin, who came into the season under pressure to do more than make the playoffs, now may be really under the gun.

'I think we are a better football team than we have shown,' said Coughlin, whose team already has given up 80 points. 'Obviously I don't have any real grounds for saying that, it is just a belief. I do believe we are all in it together and I do believe we are all embarrassed.'

Favre threw a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown pass to Bubba Franks on the Packers' opening series of the second half. The eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback added TD tosses of 3 yards to Donald Lee, and 10 to Donald Driver after New York rookie Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled a kickoff.Rookie DeShawn Wynn, a former Florida Gator, added TD runs of 6 and 38 yards.

Eli Manning, whose playing status was uncertain all week because of a sprained shoulder, played well, leading New York to scores on three consecutive series bridging the second and third quarters.

'Physically I'm fine,' said Manning, who finished 16 of 29 for 211 yards and an interception before being lifted after Green Bay scored its final touchdown. 'Mentally, I am upset with the loss and missed opportunities.'

GB-Wynn 6 run (Crosby kick), 8:18.

NYG-Burress 26 pass from Manning (Tynes kick), 7:16.

NYG-FG Tynes 48, 1:38.

Third Quarter

GB-Franks 2 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 9:07.

NYG-FG Tynes 32, 4:22.

Fourth Quarter

GB-Lee 3 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 13:33.

GB-Driver 10 pass from Favre (Crosby kick), 11:41.

GB-Wynn 38 run (Crosby kick), 4:12.

A-78,701.

RUSHING-Green Bay, Wynn 10-50, Jackson 17-35, Favre 2-(minus 2). N.Y. Giants, Ward 15-90, Moss 1-4.

PASSING-Green Bay, Favre 29-38-1-286. N.Y. Giants, Manning 16-29-1-211, Lorenzen 3-5-0-21, Wright 1-6-0-12.

RECEIVING-Green Bay, Driver 8-73, Jones 4-75, Lee 4-35, Jackson 4-24, Franks 4-20, Hall 2-20, Wynn 2-18, Grant 1-21. N.Y. Giants, Shockey 5-60, Ward 4-35, Mix 3-39, Toomer 2-48, Burress 2-32, Bradshaw 1-11, S.Smith 1-10, Matthews 1-5, Droughns 1-4.

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