Even on a sprained, black-and-blue ankle that kept him on crutches and out of practice last week, Brett Favre carried the Green Bay Packers into first place in the NFC Central.
Favre tied a team record by throwing for five touchdowns in the Packers' 35-28 victory over Chicago on Sunday that moved them into a tie for the division lead with the Bears at 6-4.Despite limited mobility and a reduced game plan that stripped the rollouts and bootlegs at which he excels, Favre hooked up with flanker Robert Brooks and halfback Edgar Bennett (twice each) and to fullback Dorsey Levens as Green Bay swept the Bears for the second straight year.
Favre's status was uncertain two hours before the game as he tested his heavily wrapped left ankle for the first time since he severely sprained it a week earlier at Minnesota.
Five hours later, he was in both teams' record books.
"Brett realizes this is his team," said defensive end Reggie White, who himself made a rousing comeback from injury after limited practice time during the week. "And I think it just all boils down to everybody realizing that this is his team and we need to play a supporting role."
Favre extended his streak to 55 consecutive starts, the NFL's longest among quarterbacks, and completed 25 of 33 passes for 336 yards with no interceptions at blustery Lambeau Field.