Favre nearly perfect in Vikings' 35-9 romp over Seahawks
Brett Favre is doing things with the Minnesota Vikings that even one of the most decorated quarterbacks in league history has never done before.
Favre completed a career-high 88 percent of his passes for 213 yards and four touchdown passes and the Vikings delivered their most complete performance of the season in a 35-9 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Favre completed 22 of his 25 throws for the Vikings (9-1). His previous career high was 85.2 percent against Detroit on Sept. 20. But he has only completed at least 80 percent two other times in his previous 18 seasons in the league.
Nate Burleson had six catches for 100 yards for Seattle (3-7), which rushed for a franchise-low 4 yards on 13 carries. The injury-ravaged Seahawks have lost seven of their last nine to fade from contention in the NFC West.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The 40-year-old Favre has been making it look easy this season, and never more so than on Sunday against the Seahawks, who were missing cornerback Josh Wilson (concussion).
Favre threw touchdown passes to Percy Harvin, Visanthe Shiancoe and Bernard Berrian in a 21-point second quarter that got the Vikings rolling, then finished his day with a 7-yard pass to Sidney Rice with 4 minutes to play in the third quarter.
It was yet another record-setting day for Favre. It was his 22nd career game with at least four touchdown passes, surpassing Dan Marino.
When the record was announced to the sellout crowd in the fourth quarter, Favre received a standing ovation from the fans who used to boo him with every fiber of their being during his 16 years with the Green Bay Packers.
Favre tipped his cap as chants of "MVP! MVP!" started to fill the Metrodome.
Favre topped 80 percent in spot duty of the season finale against Detroit in 2007 and against Cleveland in 1995 in his 282 previous career games.
Justin Forsett, who rushed for 123 yards on 17 carries last week against Arizona, managed just 9 yards and a TD on Sunday. He did have eight catches for 80 yards, but the Seahawks offense did not cross midfield until late in the third quarter when they trailed 28-0.
Matt Hasselbeck was 19 of 26 for 231 yards and one interception.
After four consecutive division titles and a Super Bowl appearance after the 2005 season, the Seahawks are an afterthought in Jim Mora's first season as head coach.
Thirteen Seattle starters have missed at least one game due to injury this season, with Pro Bowlers Walter Jones and Lofa Tatupu out for the season.
Adrian Peterson rushed for 82 yards, Rice had six catches for 89 yards and two scores and Tarvaris Jackson was 6 for 8 for 77 yards and a TD in mop-up duty.
Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who turned down an offer to join the Vikings in March before Favre arrived, had four catches for 36 yards.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
