Brett Favre Silences Critics, Shows Vikings Aren't One-Dimensional

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

I read a joke in the Minneapolis Star Tribune a few weeks ago that Brett Favre needed to get a new driver's license.

He had to take "Gunslinger" out of his name.

On Sunday, Favre had the writer of that dry joke choking on his words, as he became the first Vikings quarterback since 2005 to throw for over 300 yards.

Not only that, but he also capped off an 80-yard drive with the game-winning touchdown to Greg Lewis with two seconds left, sending the previously unbeaten 49ers to 2-1.

By doing so, he avoided a week of hearing analysts say that he couldn't throw the deep ball.

And why should he have to?

During the first two games of the season, the Vikings won handily behind the rushing attack of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

Peterson, the league's leading rusher heading into Sunday's action, was held to a measly (by his standards) 85 yards on 19 carries with no touchdowns, and Taylor was held to 16 yards on six carries.

Favre showed that he can still manage the game through the air.

After compiling 265 yards with a 77 percent completion percentage, no interceptions, and three touchdowns during his first two games as a Viking, Favre went to the air, throwing for 301 yards with two touchdowns when the Niners shut down the running game.

Rookie Percy Harvin also scored on a 101-yard kickoff return, the first of his career and his third consecutive game with a touchdown.

Favre spread the ball around nicely, connecting with seven different receivers during the game, letting defenses know that they have to account for the passing game—something that has lacked in the Vikings offense the last few seasons.

Until Favre on Sunday, the last Viking to have a 300-plus-yard passing game was Daunte Culpepper in a win against New Orleans on Sept. 25, 2005, ending a 64 game skid.

Favre is the first 300-plus-yard passer in the Brad Childress era.

Favre has converted just about every hater left in Minnesota after his game-winning performance against the Niners. As one caller to the KFAN Vikings Postgame Show said, "I'm going out to buy my Favre jersey right now."

By adding another comeback win to his résumé, Favre now has 40 comeback drives in his career.

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