The Green Bay Packers denied former favorite Brett Favre another victory on his latest return to Lambeau Field, clinging on for a 28-24 triumph over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.
Despite tossing three second-half interceptions, Favre appeared to throw the go-ahead 35-yard touchdown to Percy Harvin with just under a minute remaining, but an official review showed Harvin did not get both feet in bounds in the back of the end zone.
Instead, the 41-year-old’s fourth down throw sailed over the head of Randy Moss to hand the Packers (4-3) victory as an emotional Favre left the Green Bay field for what is likely to be a final time to a mixture of applause and boos.
“For me it’s devastating. I don’t know how else to put it,” Favre told reporters, having injured his ankle during the contest.
“You have the ball in your hands and feel like you let everybody down. I hope I do [play next week]. We’ll see. I don’t heal as easily,” he said.
Making his second appearance in Green Bay since leaving the team after 16 seasons, Favre was overshadowed by former understudy Aaron Rogers, who passed for 295 yards and two scores to help the Packers win for the first time in three games.
“It was a special night,” Rogers said after beating Favre for the first time. “The crowd was electric and we needed this win. We had to have this one.”
Favre, who led Minnesota (2-4) to a 38-26 win on his first return to Green Bay in November last year, threw for 212 yards and one score.
Rogers put the Packers 21-17 ahead in the third quarter, where he connected with Greg Jennings for a 14-yard touchdown and Green Bay linebacker Desmond Bishop stretched the lead with a 32-yard scoring return on one of Favre’s interceptions.
However, Favre regained his composure to find Moss in the end zone with four minutes remaining in the third quarter to set up a frantic finale.
Favre was recently questioned by NFL officials about allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a female employee of the New York Jets when he was with the club in 2008.
Despite the distractions in the game build-up, Minnesota jumped out to a 17-14 lead at halftime. Adrian Peterson rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown in the loss.
STEELERS 23, DOLPHINS 22
In Miami, an officiating mistake negated Ben Roethlisberger’s late fumble and the Steelers kicked the game-winning field goal on the next play in their victory over the Dolphins.
Jeff Reed made an 18-yarder with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left to score the winning points.
One play earlier, with Pittsburgh trailing 22-20 and facing third-and-goal at the two-yard line, Roethlisberger fumbled as he dove across the goal-line on a quarterback draw. The play was ruled a touchdown as both teams scrambled for the loose ball in the end zone.
After a replay review, referee Gene Steratore announced that Roethlisberger fumbled before scoring. However, Steratore said his crew had no clear evidence as to which team recovered the ball and the Steelers were awarded possession at the half-yard line, allowing Reed to kick the winner.
RAVENS 37, BILLS 34 OT
In Baltimore, Maryland, Billy Cundiff kicked a 38-yard field goal with 10 minutes, 57 seconds left in overtime as the Ravens squeezed past winless Buffalo.
Joe Flacco threw three touchdown passes for the Ravens, who survived an uncharacteristic performance by a defense that was shredded for 505 yards.
Baltimore trailed 24-10 late in the first half before scoring 24 straight points to take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick then threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans with 5 minutes, 46 seconds left and the Bills forced overtime on a 50-yard field goal by Rian Lindell with four seconds left in regulation.
Fitzpatrick went 29-for-43 for 373 yards and four touchdowns — three to Evans and another to Steve Johnson.
PATRIOTS 23, CHARGERS 20
In San Diego, California, new Chargers kicker Kris Brown missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with 23 seconds left, allowing New England to escape with a win.
Brown lined up to try a 45-yarder that would have forced overtime, but guard Louis Vasquez was whistled for a false start.
Moved back five yards, Brown’s attempt was long enough, but bounced off the right upright. Brown was signed last week because Nate Kaeding has an injured groin.
New England, with five wins and a loss, shares top spot with New York Jets atop the AFC East.
PANTHERS 23, 49ERS 20
In Charlotte, North Carolina, John Kasay kicked a 37-yard field goal with 39 seconds remaining to give Carolina its first win in six games this season.
The 49ers’ David Carr was -intercepted by Richard Marshall with just over one minute left to set up the winning kick. The 49ers fell to 1-6.
FALCONS 39, BENGALS 32
In Atlanta, Georgia, Roddy White had a spectacular day for Atlanta, catching 11 passes for 201 yards.
The Falcons squandered a 24-3 halftime lead, falling behind when Cincinnati took advantage of two turnovers and ripped off 22 straight points in the third quarter.
White put the Falcons ahead to stay with his second touchdown, an 11-yard reception early in the fourth. He then made a leaping catch on the two-point conversion to make it 32-25.
After Cedric Benson’s fumble, Michael Turner scored on a three-yard run for a two-touchdown lead. Chad Ochocinco gave the Bengals a chance with a late eight-yard touchdown catch, but the Falcons recovered the onside kick.
RAIDERS 59, BRONCOS 14
In Denver, Colorado, behind Darren McFadden’s four touchdowns, Oakland scored the most points in its 50-year history in routing demoralized Denver.
The Raiders were fueled by a 38-point outburst in the first 22 minutes, including touchdowns eight seconds apart to start the rout.
In other NFL play, it was:
‧ Seahawks 22, Cardinals 10
‧ Redskins 17, Bears 14
‧ Titans 37, Eagles 19
‧ Buccaneers 18, Rams 17
‧ Browns 30, Saints 17
‧ Chiefs 42, Jaguars 20
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