{image1}Brett Favre Day should be made an annual holiday in Wisconsin. The Packers played great on the official night that recognized Favre's 200th consecutive start.
The end result was a 45-17 win over the St. Louis Rams Monday night. It was the sixth straight win for the Packers, who remain tied for first place in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings at 7-4.
Gov. Jim Doyle declared Monday Brett Favre Day in Wisconsin, and the veteran quarterback, who was making his NFL record 200th straight start at quarterback, had another fine game with three touchdown passes.
But, others on the team responded even more impressively on the special day. The secondary specifically had a great day. Rookie cornerback Ahmad Carroll got the Packers going by recovering a fumble and returning it 40 yards for a touchdown. Later in the game, Carroll also killed a Rams' drive with an interception.
Michael Hawthorne returned a recovered fumble for a touchdown late in the game. Al Harris, who starts at the other cornerback position, was all over the field and helped hold down the Rams' fleet receivers.
Najeh Davenport, who started for the injured Ahman Green, gained 178 yards on 19 carries, despite the fact he was playing with two sore hamstrings.
The Rams never really seriously challenged the Packers. They were within 7-3 at one point, but the Packers scored the next 14 points.
St. Louis also could have made the contest a one-possession game in the third quarter, but tried a trick play from field goal formation and came up with nothing.
As much trouble as the Packers have had against the Rams in St. Louis in recent years, they dominated them at Lambeau Field. The Rams looked very much like a team that plays its home games indoors on artificial turf.
On defense, the Rams definitely didn't look suited for the turf at Lambeau on a night below freezing. They moved the ball on offense, but had the costly turnovers and made other mistakes that prevented them from mounting a serious challenge.
Players of the Game
You have to give the offensive designation to Favre, since it was his special day. The iron man of his position became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw more than 20 touchdown passes in 11 seasons. He also moved his consecutive game with a touchdown pass streak to 36. Favre finished with 18 of 27 passes for 215 yards and the three TDs.
Davenport deserves to share the offensive honor for his performance. He broke three runs over 30 yards each and gave the Packers' offense the balance it has when Green is healthy and on his game. His 178 yard total is the fifth best single game total in Packers' history.
Carroll really was the defensive player of the game, with his fumble recovery and big interception.
Give a special mention to St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger, who completed 35 of 53 for 447 yards and two touchdowns.
Plays of the Game
Carroll's return of the fumble for a touchdown got the Packers off on the right foot. His interception, with the score 21-10 and the Rams driving, also was a key play.
The fake punt by St. Louis also could be looked at as key. The Packers led 21-10, but if Kevin Wilkins had kicked a field goal at that point the Rams could have gone into the fourth quarter trailing by only a touchdown and two-point conversion.
Instead, St. Louis coach Mike Martz called for a fake field goal. A pass was shoveled to Wilkins, who went nowhere. The Packers came right back to score a touchdown that made it, 28-10.
Goats of the Game
Give a set of horns to Isaac Bruce, who lost two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns. But, also give Bruce credit for nine receptions and 169 yards.
Martz deserves a set for his ill-timed fake field goal call. If he had played it straight, the Rams might have had a chance to come back in the fourth quarter.
Perhaps Martz didn't play it straight because Wilkins had missed a field goal early when the game still was a contest. For that miss, and poor execution on the fake attempt, Wilkins also gets a set of horns.
Next Week
The Packers will face their biggest challenge since they started their winning streak when they travel to Philadelphia to meet the Eagles next Sunday.
The Eagles are 10-1 and have already clinched the NFC East title. Packers' fans still smart over last season's loss to Philly in the playoffs. Fourth and 26 have rung in their ears ever since the Eagles managed to convert it to a key first down.
Revenge would be very sweet, but it won't come easy since the game is on the road. Kickoff is at 3:15 p.m.
