Top > Sport > 2006 > September > 2006-09-26

Packers win with offense and some defense

The Green Bay Packers came into the Ford Field, home to the Detroit lions, expected to lose their third straight game to open the season, 7 point underdogs entering the game. Instead, with a strong offensive performance and a smart game plan, they walked away with their first win. With three touchdown passes, quarterback Brett Favre also joined Dan Marino as one of only two quarterbacks with 400 career touchdowns.

Entering this weekend`s games, nine NFL teams faced an 0-3 record would they lose their match, the desperate Lions and Packers included. But the visiting Packers who won 31-24 are now a revitalized team, and one player has even made it into the record books. Favre went 25-36 for 340 yards, three scoring passes and no interceptions, but it was also Packers` defense individual plays in the fourth quarter that stopped the Lions on several occasions to help them win the game.

Fourth quarter Packers defense performance included Collins breaking up a 40-yard pass to Roy Williams, A.J. Hawk sacking Kitna on a delay blitz, Collins breaking another pass at the Green Bay 7. Then with 3 1/2 minutes remaining, a tackle by Hawk for no gain on a swing pass and a Collins stop for a 1 yard loss, leading to a sack by Corey Williams on the next play.