Favre, Vikings Steal One From Niners

NFL News - September 27th, 2009 - Written by John

After leading his team to a dramatic win in Miami, Peyton Manning has caught the eye of historians who debated on whether or not he was the most clutch quarterback of the era.

Sunday, Brett Favre reminded everyone that he is still the king.

Rallying from an enormous hole with 1:29 left, down by four to the surprise team of the NFC, Favre orchestrated a 10-play, 80-yard drive to pick up the 40th comeback win of his career. He hit Greg Lewis with a 32-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining on the clock for his first signature win with the Vikings, 27-24.

The drive started at Minnesota's 20-yard line and moved to mid-field with short passes to Percy Harvin. His second catch of the drive went for 15 and took the Vikings down to San Francisco's 39. After spiking the ball with 33 seconds left, Favre hit Bernard Berrian with a short pass to take it down to the 32. That's where he made his stand, airing it out to the right side of the field and Lewis did the rest, racing into the end zone for the game-winner. The play was challenged, contesting that Lewis stepped out of bounds but the ruling was upheld.

Favre finished with 301 yards on 46 attempts and two touchdowns and spoiled San Francisco's shot at starting 3-0 for the first time this decade.

The 49ers were at a disadvantage early on when Frank Gore, who ran for over 200 yards the week before, limped off the field after his first run. He was carted into the locker room and never returned. The offense clearly suffered in his wake. Glen Coffee was the only other player with a rush and only managed 2.2 yards per carry.

Momentum swung back-and-forth throughout thanks to dazzling special teams play. San Francisco took their first lead of the game in the second quarter when the Vikings lined up to tack on a bonus field goal just before half time. But with no time on the clock, the Niners blocked the kick and Nate Clements took it 59 yards to the house. What would've been a 16-7 lead for the Vikings turned into a 14-13 deficit. Minnesota finally retook the lead, though in the third quarter when Harvin returned a kickoff 101 yards for a score.

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