A Look Back at the NFL's Week 4

Favre Beats Vikings, Bears Clobber Lions, Edwards Accused of Assault

Oct 6, 2009

Week 4 of the 2009 NFL season offered plenty of drama, both on and off the field. Here's a look back at what happened.

It took just 277 games to make it official -- Brett Favre is the only QB in history to have beaten every NFL team. Playing for the first time against the Green Bay Packers -- the team he gave 16 seasons of his career to and delivered a Super Bowl win for (1996) -- the man who's less than a week away from his 40th birthday demonstrated why, even after his departure from Wisconsin, so many still sport his #4 Packers jersey. He is one of the best to ever play the position.

Favre Plays Flawlessly as Vikings Beat Packers Monday Night

In the Monday night match in Minnesota, following a turnover by the Packers on the game's first possession, Favre showed poise as he marched his team down the field, completing all five of his pass attempts, the last being a 1-yard TD to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, Favre's replacement, answered three plays later with a 62-yard TD pass to his TE, Jermichael Finley. They exchanged scores a few more times before the Vikings headed into halftime with a 21-14 advantage.

As masterful as Favre was he was helped by some tremendous pass protection. Favre wasn't sacked once as he went 24-for-31 for 271 yards and 3 TDs. On the other hand, Rodgers' offensive line had trouble all evening long, giving up 8 sacks (4.5 to DE Jared Allen), including one that resulted in a forced fumble and another that scored the Vikings a safety.

The Packers hung around, but, down by 7 with less than a minute to go, failed to recover an onside kick and secured the win for the Vikings, 30-23. Minnesota is now undefeated on the season at 4-0 while Green Bay drops to 2-2. The two teams will meet in Green Bay in Week 8 (Sunday, Nov. 1st). The energy at Lambeau Field will undoubtedly be more magnetic than that in Minnesota as Favre returns to the place where he built his legacy.

Lions Score Early But Get Smashed by Bears

After breaking their 18-game losing streak last week, Detroit was looking to get a different kind of streak going. Detroit scored twice in the first quarter and led 14-7 heading into the second. But it was all Chicago for the rest of the game. The Bears outscored the Lions 41-10 in the final three quarters, getting their points from passes, runs, a 102-yard kick return by rookie WR Johnny Knox, and two field goals. Detroit rookie QB Matthew Stafford finished 24-for-36 for 296 yards, a TD, and an INT, but couldn't compete with the balanced attack of Chicago. The Bears featured TD passes from Jay Cutler to two different receivers, TD runs by three different players -- including a 5-yard run by Cutler that finished with a spectacular helicopter leap over the Lions defense and into the end zone -- and the special team score by Knox.

Edwards Faces Another PR Battle Off the Field

As Cleveland WR Braylon Edwards struggles to find his place in the Browns' offense, his problems away from the team have mounted. Edwards, who is no stranger to off-field issues, allegedly punched a man outside a Cleveland nightclub early Monday morning following an argument. The man, promoter Edward Givens, told police that some unidentified Browns players were trying to pull Edwards away when he threw a punch. Although Edwards has not been charged with a crime, the league's conduct policy states that discipline may be imposed for "the use or threat of violence." He may also face team discipline from Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini.

While Edwards has not commented on the matter, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, a good friend of Givens, has publicly referred to his alleged actions as "childish." Following a Cavaliers practice, James said, "My friend is 130 pounds. Seriously. It’s like hitting one of my kids. It doesn’t make sense.” Edwards responded by posting on his Twitter: “I have no issue with LeBron. I respect and admire him.”

Cleveland fell to 0-4 following their 23-20 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Edwards, who got into a scuffle during the game, finished the day without a reception for the first time in his career. He has caught just 10 passes for 139 yards and has no TDs this season.

Update: Edwards was traded to the New York Jets for WR Chansi Stuckey, LB Jason Trusnik and undisclosed draft picks.

Week 4's Best Performances (by position)

QB - David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars 37 vs Tennessee Titans 27): 27/37, 323 yards, 3 TDs

RB -Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers 38 vs San Diego Chargers 28): 29 carries, 165 yards, 2 TDs

WR - Steve Smith (New York Giants 27 @ Kansas City Chiefs 16): 11 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TDs

Defense - San Francisco 49ers: shut out the St. Louis Rams, 35-0, allowing 177 total yards (82 passing; 95 rushing), collecting five sacks and scoring twice on defense.

Other Week 4 NFL Scores:

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