Minnesota Smoother in Favre's Second Game

NFL News - September 1st, 2009 - Written by John

Call it growing pains. A burp.A schism, if you must.Whatever you choose to consider it, understand that Brett Favre was going to improve from last Friday night, where the nine-time Pro Bowler only completed one pass in two series' for four yards in his Minnesota debut, and appeared off base with the Vikings' receiving corps. On one of those passes, Favre led Jaymar Johnson to an inside slant route through the meat of the second defensive level. It was an open hole that would've most certainly resulted in a first-down, if not more. Problem was, Johnson curled back toward the quarterback and the throw sailed three yards to his left.

"This will be an adjustment all year," Favre told reporters after the game. "It really will be."

Monday night was definitively better for him and the Vikings.

Adrian Peterson took the first play from scrimmage 75-yards to the house and Favre coaxed head coach Brad Childress into allowing him to play deep into the third quarter and the Vikings improved to 3-0 all-time against the Texans, 17-10. Favre finished 13-for-18 for 142 yards and a score, thanks to a terrific run after the catch by back-up tailback Chester Taylor. Just before halftime, Taylor turned and hauled in a screen pass on Houston's 28 and jetted down the right sideline before being met by a Texans defensive back, barreling down to cut him off. Taylor stutter-stepped and his assailant went flying by him out-of-bounds and Taylor was able to walk into the end zone.

Peterson, meanwhile, stole the show with his breakaway speed. After the game, he told ESPN he believed he was untouched, going up the middle for his touchdown, gaining most of his game-high 117 rushing yards on that one play. It is the second straight game the Texans have allowed a 100-yard rusher in the preseason. Last week, back-up Mike Bell torched Houston for 100 yards on only 10 carries. Despite the effort, 2008 Pro Bowler and former Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans shined, piling up 16 tackles and a sack.

Many believed the Vikings would be the team to beat in the NFC North with Favre under center, and as long as he has someone like Peterson and Taylor to turn around and give the ball to, it won't be hard to meet those expectations. The running backs played a prominent role, as did Percy Harvin, who took two snaps under center. Minnesota had 120 more rushing yards than their counterparts and were able to hold onto the ball for the majority of the game.

Favre was able to protect his aching ribs, for the most part. He was sacked twice but didn't hold on the the ball very long. He only threw four passes over ten yards and was 8-for-10 on passes five yards or shorter. The only time his torso was truly in jeopardy was when he lined up at wide receiver in the Wildcat formation and laid an illegal crackback block on Eugene Wilson.

"There is nothing you can do about it first of all, secondly, I don't believe it is [cracked]," Favre said on ESPN.com after the game. "It doesn't feel great but I think I will be fine. We have not done an X-ray yet. If it is cracked, there is nothing you can do about it."

Backups Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, the 'victims' of the Favre signing, so to speak, mopped up in the fourth quarter and combined to go 4-of-5 for 48 yards.

Houston's Matt Schaub, who missed 4 1/2 games last season and another five the year before, was hobbled by a sprained ankle when he scrambled out of bounds on a keeper early in the game. He remained in the lineup for the first half, whincing albeit, and stayed with the trainers for most of the second. He said he will probably be available when the Texans play again on Friday.

Minnesota is 3-0 so far this preseason and will suit up to face Dallas this Friday in their final dress rehearsal before traveling to Cleveland to start the season.

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