Minnesota loses Favre, wins game

MINNEAPOLIS - Brett Favre says he sprained his throwing (right) shoulder on the opening series of Minnesota's 38-14 victory over Buffalo and that it's too early to tell if he will make his 298th consecutive regular-season start next week.

The 41-year-old was crushed by Bills linebacker Arthur Moats on his first pass play of the game, a pass that was intercepted by Drayton Florence.

Favre was replaced by Tarvaris Jackson, his predecessor as the Vikings' starter. Jackson threw for 187 yards, two touchdowns to Sidney Rice, and three interceptions.

Following the hit, Favre was slow to get up and staggered to the sidelines. He said he couldn't throw and was unable to return to the game. Favre extended his NFL record by starting his 297th straight regular-season game, but lasted only three plays.

The Vikings (5-7) outgained the Bills, 387 yards to 239, and gave coach Leslie Frazier a win in his first home game since replacing the fired Brad Childress. The Vikings are 2-0 under Frazier.

Jackson threw three interceptions, but after Drayton Florence returned the first one for a touchdown, Jackson led the Vikings to TDs on their next four possessions to put the game away.

Peterson, who was listed as questionable this week, rushed 16 times for 107 yards, including a 43-yard score, against the league's most porous run defense.

Although the Bills (2-10) had played better recently, they reverted to early-season form and suffered another blowout. They turned over the ball five times for 14 Vikings points and had three personal-foul penalties.

The complexion of the game changed quickly when Favre, inching forward in the pocket, was flattened by Moats in a hit that forced the ball to float slowly in the air.

Florence picked it off, and Favre walked off the field with his throwing shoulder sagging slightly.

Buffalo 7 0 0 7 – 14

Minnesota 7 24 0 7 – 38

First quarter

Buf–Florence 40 interception return (Lindell kick), 4:34.

Min–Rice 31 pass from Jackson (Longwell kick), 1:45.

Second quarter

Min–Peterson 2 run (Longwell kick), 14:56.

Min–Peterson 3 run (Longwell kick), 11:00.

Min–Rice 6 pass from Jackson (Longwell kick), 8:00.

Min–FG Longwell 38, :00.

Fourth quarter

Min–Peterson 43 run (Longwell kick), 14:46.

Buf–D.Nelson 12 pass from Fitzpatrick (Lindell kick), 4:43.

A: 64,012.

Buf   Min

First downs 10   22

Total Net Yards 239   387

Rushes-yards 23-84   40-210

Passing 155   177

Punt Returns 2-12   3-25

Kickoff Returns 6-75   2-55

Interceptions Ret. 4-77   1-41

Comp-Att-Int 15-25-1   15-23-4

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-3   1-10

Punts 6-44.2   4-43.8

Fumbles-Lost 5-4   0-0

Penalties-Yards 6-54   4-20

Time of Possession 26:03   33:57

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Buf–Jackson 11-42, Spiller 7-35, Fitzpatrick 4-5, Jones 1-2. Min–Peterson 16-107, Gerhart 12-54, Young 10-27, Jackson 2-22.

Passing: Buffalo, Fitzpatrick 15-25-1-158. Minnesota, Jackson 15-22-3-187, Favre 0-1-1-0.

Receiving: Buf–Nelson 4-34, Evans 3-72, Johnson 2-36, Spiller 2-1, McIntyre 1-8, Jackson 1-6, Jones 1-1, Martin 1-0. Min– Rice 5-105, Kleinsasser 3-25, Camarillo 2-27, Shiancoe 2-17, Berrian 1-14, Peterson 1-1, Gerhart 1-(minus 2).