A Look Back at Week 8 in the NFL

Favre Beats Packers, Eagles Top Giants, Colts Undefeated

Nov 2, 2009

An ageless wonder returns to his stomping grounds, an NFC East rivalry ends with a blowout, and just two teams remain undefeated after Week 8. Here's a look at the week.

Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field for the first time as an opposing player was just half the story on Sunday. The other half was current Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and his chance to legitimately cement himself as the heir apparent to Favre in Green Bay. But after Sunday's game between the Vikings and Packers, all that is certain is Favre still holds a deed to the house that he built during 16 seasons as THE man in Green Bay. The 40-year-old QB continued his impressive 2009 run with Minnesota by firing four TD passes and leading the 7-1 Vikings to a 38-26 victory over the Packers (4-3).

Green Bay struck first with a FG almost eight minutes into the 1st quarter, but the momentum quickly transferred to Minnesota as they scored on three of their next four possessions to take a 17-3 lead into halftime. It got even better for Favre in the second half when he connected with rookie WR Percy Harvin on a 51-yard TD strike to open the 3rd quarter. The Packers were able to pull within four points by the end of the quarter, but that was as close as they would get. Favre would toss two more TD passes and finish the game 17/28 for 244 yards. Rodgers was 26/41 for 287 yards and three TDs but was lost in the shadow of #4 of the Vikings.

While Favre shook off the chorus of boos to produce one of the biggest wins of his career, the performance of his teammate Percy Harvin shouldn't be overlooked. Harvin led the Vikings with five receptions for 84 yards and one TD and was a monster on special teams, returning five kickoffs for a total of 175 yards including returns of 48 and 77 yards that both set up Minnesota touchdowns.

- Favre's four-touchdown game marks the 21st time he has done that in his career, tying him with Dan Marino for the all-time mark.

- Jared Allen recorded three sacks of Rodgers, giving him a total of 7.5 in the two games he's played against Green Bay this season.

- Sunday's attendance was 71,213, the largest regular-season crowd in Lambeau Field history.

McNabb Great as Eagles Stake Claim to First in NFC East

Rivalries are typically characterized by hard-fought, tightly matched games. But if the Week 8 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants was any barometer there was no semblance of a rivalry at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon.

Donovan McNabb had a proficient day, completing 17 of 23 pass attempts for 240 yards and three TDs.

DeSean Jackson - or, more fittingly, "Mr. Big Play" - led Philly receivers with 78 yards, including a 64-yard TD catch that now means all six of his scores this season have come on plays of 50 yards or more. TE Jeremy Maclin and TE Brent Celek caught McNabb's other TD throws while FB Leonard Weaver and rookie RB LeSean McCoy recorded TD runs of 41 and 66 yards, respectively.

The win moved Philadelphia (5-2) into a tie with Dallas for first place in the NFC East. They will host the Cowboys, the only NFC East team they haven't beaten, next Sunday. The Giants (5-3) dropped their third straight after beginning the season with five consecutive wins.

Colts Hold Off 49ers to Remain Perfect on Season

San Francisco hung in tough against Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis teammates, even clinging to an early lead, but couldn't prevent the Colts from their 16th consecutive win dating back to last season. It wasn't the arm of Manning that hurt them, though; it was the foot of Colts kicker Matt Stover and San Francisco's inability to convert on third down. While the 49ers were able to hold Manning without a TD pass for the first time since November of last year, Stover converted on all four of his FG attempts. San Francisco's offense converted just 2 of 10 third downs, limiting their ability to make key plays.

Trailing 14-12 in the 4th quarter, the Colts scored what would ultimately be the game-winning TD when RB Joseph Addai, on a halfback option, completed a 22-yard pass to a wide open Reggie Wayne. The win moved Indianapolis to 7-0 and dropped the 49ers to 3-4.

* the Colts are joined by the New Orleans Saints (7-0) as the NFL's only undefeated teams after Week 8. The Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons, 35-27, Monday night.

Week 8's Best Performances (by position)

QB - Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings 38, Green Bay Packers 26): 17/28, 244 yards, 4 TDs

RB - Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 13): 24 carries, 228 yards (franchise record), 2 TDs

WR - Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts 18, San Francisco 49ers 14): 12 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD

Defense - Baltimore Ravens: recorded two sacks, forced a fumble, and held the previously undefeated Denver Broncos to 200 total yards (134 passing; 66 rushing) and seven points in their 30-7 win.

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