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Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay
12/07/97 - Packers Win 17-6
Statistically, Brett Favre admittedly has had better days but seldom has the Packers' incomparable field general been more of a factor in a Green Bay victory than he was in Sunday's hard-earned, 17-6 victory over the Buccaneers in Tampa's Houlihan's Stadium.
Not only did he literally "create" the Packers' two touchdowns -- on 43- and 8-yard throws to flanker Robert Brooks and running back Dorsey Levens, respectively -- but he also put the Buccaneers away with a deftly-orchestrated, 16-play, 88-yard drive which began in the 14th minute of the third period and consumed nearly two-thirds of the fourth quarter...a total of 10 minutes and 31 seconds.
(410K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre finds Brooks wide open for a TD | |
(529K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre to Levens for the TD | |
The Packers combined a tightfisted defense -- one which limited the Buccaneers to 2 field goals, 161 net yards and an average of only 3.1 yards per offensive play -- with Favre's heroics to carry the day.
Favre engineered his first major maneuver in the first quarter, with the Packers in arrears, 3-0. Scrambling right to avoid Buccaneer pressure, he faked a run, then pulled up and unfurled a perfect strike to Brooks, who fell backwards in the end zone for the score.
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| Favre scrambled and threw for 2 TDs for the victory over the Bucs |
With the Packers nursing a highly tenuous 7-6 lead in the third quarter, Favre put together a 10-play, 73-yard drive that he adroitly capped off with another scramble. As he closed in on the line of scrimmage, Favre flipped the ball to Levens, near the goal line, and Number 25 promptly barged into the end zone, getting hit as he crossed the goal line.
One exchange later, Favre proceeded to execute the climactic drive, finished off by a 27-yard Ryan Longwell field goal, hitting Levens with passes of 12, 10 and 8 yards and fullback William Henderson with a 13-yard throw. Levens' and Henderson's ground contributions, 20 and 8 yards respectively, allowed the duo to account for 71 of the 88 total yards involved.
Its significance is accentuated by the time of possession figures, the Packers emerging with 34 minutes, 41 seconds to the Bucs' 25 minutes, 19 seconds.
Favre closed out the day with 25 completions in 33 attempts for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns, with one interception.
Levens, meanwhile, weighed in with 118 yards of offense -- 54 rushing in 22 attempts and 64 on 8 receptions.
Split end Antonio Freeman and tight end Mark Chmura also were frequent argets, each emerging with 5 catches -- Freeman gaining 73 yards and Chmura posting 37. Brooks contributed 71 yards with his 3 receptions.
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| Packers Defense was out in full force |
Free safety Eugene Robinson and middle linebacker Bernardo Harris keyed the Green Bay defense, each posting 8 tackles, Robinson's production including a 8-yard sack of Tampa Bay quarterback Trent Dilfer and a first-quarter recovery of a Mike Alstott fumble at the Buccaneers' 36-yard line, a turnover which led directly to the Packers' first touchdown two plays later.
Defensive ends Reggie White and Gabe Wilkins and linebacker Seth Joyner also registered sacks as the Packers felled Dilfer 4 times for 23 yards in losses.
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- TB: 24 yard Husted FG (8:45)
- GBP: 43 yard TD pass; Favre to Brooks (Longwell kick) (4:50)
- 2nd Quarter
- TB: 48 yard Husted FG (1:45)
- 3rd Quarter
- GBP: 9 yard TD pass; Favre to Levens (Longwell kick) (6:06)
- 4th Quarter
- GBP: 27 yard Longwell FG (6:24)
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