Favre Giveaway Benefits Lions and Williams

DETROIT — Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre slumped over in the middle of the field after his third turnover of the day.

The three-time most valuable player, who turns 36 next month, limped to his news conference about an hour later. Yet he didn’t blame his poor play on his physical condition, saying he would probably feel worse today but that he “could play another game now” after two of his three turnovers led to 10 points for Detroit in the Lions’ 17-3 victory over the Packers Sunday at Ford Field. “Inside, it hurts the most.”

Among the Lions to capitalize was rookie receiver and former USC standout Mike Williams, who scored on a three-yard pass play during a drive set up by an interception.

The game tied the fewest points Green Bay had scored with Favre as its starting quarterback. Tampa Bay beat the Packers, 31-3, on Sept. 13, 1992, two weeks before Favre began his record streak of starting 226 consecutive games.

“We obviously have a ways to go offensively,” Favre said. “But if you would’ve told me we would score three points, I would’ve said you were crazy.”

After kicking a field goal in the second quarter, Green Bay didn’t have a first down in the second half until its sixth drive.

“It wasn’t just us,” Lion linebacker Earl Holmes said. “The special teams bottled up their return game, and the offense kept us off the field so we could catch our breath.”

Joey Harrington completed 15 of 28 passes for 167 yards and threw for two touchdowns, including the one to Williams with 4:13 left.

Favre fumbled on the opening possession of the second half, leading to Jason Hanson’s 21-yard field goal. Favre’s intercepted pass in the fourth quarter, snagged by a diving Kenoy Kennedy, whose fumble was caught by teammate Terrence Holt, led to the drive capped by Williams’ touchdown. Then Green Bay drove to Detroit’s 12-yard line before Favre was sacked twice and threw his second interception. He completed 27 of 44 passes for 201 yards.

Green Bay’s offense took a hit when Javon Walker, Favre’s favorite target, injured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the third quarter. Packer Coach Mike Sherman said the team would not know how serious the injury was until Walker had an MRI today.