Name: BigE
Email: BigE@idatasports.com
Date: Fri Dec 13 12:47:20 2002

Headline: Packers Derail Vikings Upset Bid
Game MVP: Robert Ferguson
Offensive Player of the Game: Robert Ferguson
Defensive Player of the Game: Na'il Diggs

Despite missing seven starters and having two early turnovers that were costly, the Packers and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre mounted a fourth quarter comeback to defeat the Vikings 26-22. This was the 26th time Favre has engineered a comeback victory, and the Packers now have a 34-0 record in 34 degrees or colder with Favre at the helm.

The Packers started the game stumbling out of the gates offensively and were forced to punt. The Vikings, taking over at their own 35-yard line, went on a 12 play drive that resulted in a 23-yard field goal by Gary Anderson to make it 3-0.

On the Packers following drive Favre dropped back to pass only to have it slip out of his hands. The ball was recovered by the Vikings Chris Hovan at the Packers 30-yard line giving Minnesota great field position. It took only 4 plays before Daunte Culpepper hit Randy Moss for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 10-0.

The Packers next possession was another disaster as Favre dropped to pass and tried to hit Javon Walker on a short crossing pattern. The ball went through the rookie's hands and into Vikings linebacker Greg Biekert's giving the ball right back to Minnesota on the Packers 23-yard line. The defense rose to the occasion and stopped the Vikings forcing them to kick a field goal to make it 13-0.

The Packers offense finally got things rolling putting together an 11 play, 59-yard drive that ended with a Ryan Longwell field goal to make it 13-3. This drive by the Packers offense ended the way many of their drives ended on Sunday night, not being able to convert on third and 1. This was the most troubling issue of the night. Sure the defense was poor against the run, but without the injured Ahman Green the Packers were not even able to run for a yard on third and 1. Tony Fisher had a good game, but he will have to figure out how to get the first down on third and 1 if he’s going to be a starter in the NFL.

After the Packers defense forced the Vikings to punt, the offense put together another nice drive only to see it stall after failing once again to convert in short yardage. This time Fisher couldn't get it from the 1, and then the curious call of a shovel pass to tight end Tyrone Davis, who was stopped short. Ultimately the Packers kicked the field goal to cut the Vikings lead to 13-6 at the half.

The Vikings took the second half kickoff and marched right down the field, finishing with a 3-yard run by Culpepper to make it 19-7 after the blocked extra point. This was a drive that made a statement, as the Viking pounded the ball right down the Packers throat and finished the game with nearly 200 yards rushing.

The Packers responded quickly on a drive that featured Packers 2nd year man, Robert Ferguson. Favre hit Ferguson three times on the drive, the last one coming on corner route in which he beat the Vikings Eric Kelly for a 21-yard touchdown to make it 19-13.

After the Vikings tacked on a field goal to make it 22-13, the Packers offense stalled once again giving the ball right back to the Vikings. The defense held the Vikings to 3 and out forcing them to punt. Darrien Gordon returned the punt 22 yards to give the Packers great field position at their own 46-yard line.

Favre went back to work hitting Donald Driver on third and 3 for the first down. This ball was thrown low and behind Driver, but even on replay it was nothing short of a spectacular catch. Then, facing a third and 13 Favre avoided the blitz and hit Ferguson who was wide open at the 25-yard line. Ferguson beat the Vikings Brian Williams to the end zone to make it 22-20.

The Vikings offense started to drive down the field once again when Na'il Diggs came up with the biggest play of the day for the defense. Facing a third and 15 the Vikings had a screen pass to Michael Bennett set up beautifully, but Diggs sliced in to take on the blocker and trip up Bennett after a 4-yard gain.

With the game on the line Favre and the rookies stepped up in a big way. First it was Walker making a great catch on a hard slant to convert on third and 2. After a pass interference moved the Packers down to the Minnesota 25, Favre kept the drive alive when he took a big shot while diving for the first down on third and 7. Fisher put on the finishing touches with a 14-yard touchdown run through a gaping hole. The failed two point try made the final score 26-22.

This game looked like it was going to be over in a hurry as the Packers turned the ball over twice early in the game that led to 10 points. With coach Mike Sherman sitting four starters that were iffy, the Packers were still able to pull this one out. The defense will benefit from the return of Gilbert Brown next week, and the third and 1 situations will be taken care of when Ahman Green suits up.

This week's game is going to be a tough one for the Packers, as they go into San Francisco to take on the Niners. I really think this game will be a coming out party for the Packers. The Packers will start their stretch run by taking care of business down in San Francisco.

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