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      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.


      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 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.
      

Gallery

Sports

Tom Brady outscrambled Brett Favre,
then kept the ball away from Tarvaris Jackson when Favre was
knocked out of the game, and the New England Patriots held on to
beat the Minnesota Vikings 28-18 on Sunday.

Favre knocked out; Patriots top Vikings 28-18

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