Bittersweet Brett

Brett Favre played 128 regular season home games over 16 seasons as the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

But on Sunday, the 40-year-old, three-time MVP returned to Lambeau Field for his first game as a visitor. Even worse, Favre returned to Titletown wearing the purple helmet of the NFC North archrival Minnesota Vikings.

And the Cheesehead Nation that once cheered him could only watch (and angrily boo) as the future first-ballot Hall of Fame gunslinger -- who took Green Bay to two Super Bowls, winning XXXI to cap the 1996 season -- led the Vikings to a 38-26 win over the Packers in a classic Favre performance.

With mixed emotions, a Lambeau Field record crowd of 71,213 witnessed Favre complete 17-of-28 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and zero turnovers. The four-score effort was the 21st of Favre's career, tying Dan Marino's career record while torturing the rabid Green Bay fanbase in the process.

"Packers fans cheer for the Packers first," said Favre. "I know that. But I hope that everyone in the stadium watching tonight said, ‘I sure hate those jokers on the other side, but he does play the way he's always played.'"

Favre is now 2-0 against his former team, having led the Vikings to a 30-23 win over the Packers on Monday night in Week 4. The NFL's all-time leader in nearly every major passing category has been ready for the spotlight in both games -- combining to complete 41-of-59 (69.5 percent) of his passes for 515 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 135.9 passer rating, while taking zero sacks in two emotional victories.

"Am I pleased with the way these two games have turned out? Absolutely," said Favre. "I know it makes for a good story. But I'm glad it's over. I'm glad we won both."

As for sticking it to Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy, the graybeard in the real, comfortable jeans drawls on about revenge being a non-issue. At this point in his life and career, Favre claims he just wants to play football and win games as long as he is able.

"It had nothing to do with trying to prove myself to anyone. I still have a passion for it. It's a little bit tougher to get up and bounce back, but my arm feels great. My mind is in a good place, the team has welcomed me in and really all the other stuff doesn't matter," said Favre. "I'm not going to sit here and throw any daggers."

Heading into a Week 9 bye, Favre is playing like a Pro Bowl quarterback with several years left -- completing 68.0 percent of his passes for 1,925 yards, 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions for a 106.0 passer rating so far. More important, the Vikings have a 7-1 record, with a 3-0 mark in the division, and are sitting atop the NFC North standings following coach Brad Childress' first win at Lambeau Field and Favre's homecoming.

"We're exactly where we want to be," said Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, who has recorded 7.5 of his 10.5 sacks this season against the Packers, including three on Sunday.