Upbeat Packers bring momentum vs. Vikings

By Rick Gano, Associated Press
CHICAGO — It's just what Green Bay coach Mike Sherman wanted as a playoff tuneup: a strong performance with no major injuries and, of course, a season-ending victory.
"You leave here with a positive feeling," Sherman said Sunday after the Packers routed the Chicago Bears 31-14. "My biggest fear was to leave here laying an egg."

No worries, thanks to a short but stellar outing from Brett Favre and an aggressive defense that tied a club record with nine sacks.

Now the Packers (10-6) hope to carry the momentum into the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field. They beat Minnesota twice by identical 34-31 scores, the final win on Christmas Eve that clinched the NFC North.

"Being that we're familiar with them, it's going to be a little tougher," said safety Darren Sharper, who had a 43-yard interception return for a TD on Sunday. "Everyone is thinking about beating a team three times in a row. It's happened before, and it's good we're at home."

Favre played the first quarter and one series in the second, going 9-for-13 for 196 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Packers beat the Bears (5-11) for the 21st time in the last 26 meetings — including 11 in a row on the road.

He got advice from Sherman, who wanted his starters to play a bit and not sit out, even though the playoffs were already assured.

"He said, 'Hey, don't get hurt,' " said Favre, who started his 205th consecutive regular-season game. "I was thinking to myself, 'After 200-something games, why does he have to say that to me now?' I almost felt like he was jinxing me."

Instead, there was another milestone performance in an abbreviated afternoon: Favre surpassed 4,000 yards passing in a season for the fourth time and reached 30 TD passes for an eighth time before backup Craig Nall took over.

The Packers did get a major scare late in the third quarter when Pro Bowl receiver Javon Walker caught a 43-yard pass and hit his head on the turf as he was being tackled by Bobby Gray and Charles Tillman.

Walker stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes before walking off with a trainer at his arm. He did not return to the game but was not seriously injured.

Walker and tight end Bubba Franks are expected to play Sunday.

Sherman said Monday that backup running back Najeh Davenport, who missed the season finale with a strained shoulder, also is expected to play.

Sherman said Walker likely suffered a mild concussion but will practice Wednesday. He said Franks has a bruised knee.

Wearing "92" on their helmets in memory of former teammate Reggie White, the Packers gave up an early touchdown before roaring to a 28-7 halftime lead against their oldest rival.

"Mike said, 'Hey, go out there and play, not because of the decal, but play it like Reggie would play the game,' " Favre said. "I feel like I do that every week."