Favre knocked out; Patriots top Vikings 28-18
By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Brett Favre was carted off the field midway in the fourth quarter Sunday with a face laceration.
Favre was hit by Patriots defensive tackle Myron Pryor while throwing. He stayed on the ground momentarily, then tried to get up while holding his face. But Favre then sank to the ground as Vikings trainers rushed onto the field, and they helped him to the sideline.
The 41-year-old quarterback spent a few minutes on a training table at the Vikings' sideline as staffers held a towel to his chin. He sat up after trainers applied a compress, then was carted from the field as a few fans booed.
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Minnesota was beaten 28-18 and fell to 2-5.
Favre, who did not appear bothered by two fractures in his left foot that initially jeopardized his availability Sunday, extended his NFL record consecutive starts streak to 292.
Tarvaris Jackson replaced Favre and immediately threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Naufahu Tahi. Jackson completed a 2-point conversion pass to Percy Harvin, bringing Minnesota within 21-18.
Favre has both a stress fracture and an avulsion fracture in the foot. The avulsion fracture in the heel bone is where a fragment has been torn away by a tendon or ligament.
He appeared to have no trouble with his foot, though. He injured his ankle and heel in last week's loss at Green Bay. But after a week of treatment and even some practice time Friday, he was in the starting lineup Sunday, a few days after coach Brad Childress said he would consider starting Jackson if Favre was hobbled.
Favre was fine for most of the game, but left with 7:31 remaining after the hard hit by Pryor left him wobbly.
Favre, who did not appear bothered by two fractures in his left foot that initially jeopardized his availability Sunday, extended his NFL record consecutive starts streak to 292.
Favre played well in the first half, but an interception in the third quarter catapulted the Patriots to victory.
The interception wasn't Favre's fault - Percy Harvin bobbled it directly into the arms of Patriots rookie Devin McCourty. Favre even gave chase, sort of, on the 37-yard runback, falling over two other players when McCourty was tackled. Favre slowly stood up and walked to the sideline, looking weary and every bit his age.
Of course, this is a guy who has started every game since 1992, many of them accompanied by a large dose of drama. So seeing him behind center from the outset was anything but surprising.
Seeing him leave woozy and on a cart was stunning.
Early in the second quarter, he handed off to Adrian Peterson for a 1-yard dive that capped a 76-yard touchdown drive. Favre, holder of virtually every significant passing record, looked spry while hitting Harvin for 21 yards on the drive.
Oddly, moments before the TD, Favre took a hit to the helmet by Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton that helped set up the score. He got up slowly, checking his head to see if there was any blood, then called the next play.
Favre completed his first four passes for 40 yards and was 11 for 13 for 121 yards through the first half. But the second half was ugly for Minnesota - just as much of the season has been for the Vikings and their aged QB, who had taken every snap this season.
The Vikings couldn't afford to fall further behind in the NFC North, but with Green Bay (5-3) beating the Jets, they did. Favre, who nearly led the Vikings to the Super Bowl last season, finished 22 for 32 for 259 yards. He also was called twice for grounding.
There's more to Favre's headline-grabbing persona this season, too. The website Deadspin reported weeks ago that Favre sent lewd photos and inappropriate text messages to a New York Jets game hostess in 2008 when Favre played for the team. The NFL is investigating and the woman, Jenn Sterger, has not yet spoken to league investigators, although her manager and her lawyer both have said she might do so soon.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
