Tue, Sep 23, 2003 - Page 19 News List

Green Bay wilts in Arizona heat wave

HOT AND BOTHERED Brett Favre may be 34-1 when playing in near freezing temperatures, but its a different story when the thermometer nudges 40?C

AP , TEMPE, ARIZONA

Outside linebacker Ray Thompson, right, of the Arizona Cardinals dives to recover a fumble against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.

PHOTO: AFP

The Green Bay Packers love cold weather. Playing in the heat is a different story.

Jeff Blake wore out the Packers on a day of record heat in the desert, then Dexter Jackson sealed it with a clutch interception at the finish.

Jackson, last year's Super Bowl MVP, intercepted Brett Favre's pass in the end zone with 10 seconds left to save the Arizona Cardinals' 20-13 victory on Sunday.

"The elements are the elements," coach Mike Sherman said. "People come up to Green Bay, and I don't say we beat them because it's cold out. I say we beat them because we won the game. They beat us because they played better than we did today -- bottom line."

Blake completed 20 of 31 passes for 273 yards, including a 1-yard pass to James Hodgins for the winning touchdown with 3:59 to play.

Favre, 23-for-33 for 226 yards and a touchdown, drove the Packers (1-2) to the Arizona 7 in the final seconds. But on third-and-goal, his pass was picked off by Jackson.

The Cardinals (1-2) took a knee and earned their first victory of the season, and second in 12 games.

Favre, 35-1 when it's 1?C or colder, is 12-18 in games when the kickoff temperature is above 21?C, and this one was way, way above 21?C.

The 39?C temperature at kickoff equaled the hottest game ever for the Packers. It warmed up to 40?C at the start of the second half, and 41?C at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

That's hot, even by Arizona standards. 41?C at nearby Sky Harbor Airport was a record for the date, surpassing the 40?C recorded in 1949 and 1984.

Giants 24, Redskins 21, OT

In Landover, Maryland, Matt Bryant kicked a 29-yard field goal 4:15 into the extra period, putting the Giants and Redskins in a tie for first place in the NFC East.

The Giants (2-1) led 21-3 at halftime, but a mistake-filled second half and bad clock management late in the game allowed Washington (2-1) to tie it on John Hall's 34-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in regulation.

Kerry Collins threw three touchdown passes, completing 24 of 39 passes for 276 yards. Tiki Barber ran for 126 yards, and the defense held the Redskins without a touchdown until late in the third quarter.

Seahawks 24, Rams 23

In Seattle, Matt Hasselbeck threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Koren Robinson with 1 minute remaining and Josh Brown made the PAT as the Seahawks overcame a 13-point deficit to start 3-0 for the first time in five years.

Rams running back Marshall Faulk, held to 31 yards on 15 carries, left in the third quarter with an injured left hand.

Browns 13, 49ers 12

In San Francisco, Andre Davis caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kelly Holcomb with 29 seconds left as Cleveland rallied for two late scores.

Holcomb knew his starting spot might have been in the balance after two lousy games, but he finally led the Browns (1-2) on two stirring drives for the victory. Both ended in TD passes to Davis -- the second capping a 91-yard drive.

Ravens 24, Chargers 10

In San Diego, Jamal Lewis ran for 132 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries, a week after setting the NFL single-game record with 295 yards.

Lewis needed 182 yards to break O.J. Simpson's two-game record of 476 yards set in 1976.

The Ravens (2-1) won their second straight. San Diego (0-3) has been outscored 88-37 this season. Including their second-half collapse last year, the Chargers have lost seven straight and 10 of 12.

This story has been viewed 2232 times.
TOP top