As Favre Falters, Broncos Show Life

DENVER —  There were no late-game heroics by Brett Favre this week, although there was a miracle of sorts: The Denver Broncos are still alive.

Brian Griese threw two touchdown passes to Ed McCaffrey and ran for a third Sunday to lead Denver to a 31-10 romp over the Green Bay Packers, the Broncos’ second win in a row after an 0-4 start.

Olandis Gary, starting because of injuries to Terrell Davis and Derek Loville, carried 37 times for 124 yards and a touchdown, and the Bronco defense intercepted Favre three times and forced him into hurried throws.

Favre, who three times this season rallied his team to a comeback victory in the final two minutes despite a sore thumb on his throwing hand, was only seven for 23 for 120 yards in, statistically, his worst performance as a pro.

“I didn’t expect to play like this,” said Favre, the three-time league most valuable player. “I didn’t expect to lose like this. Games like this happen. It was ugly. This is a character check.

“My thumb has been bothering me all year, but it is not an excuse. I don’t want it to be.”

Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski said Favre “had a smile on his face after every bad throw, after every interception. He played like he was frustrated. He kept on smiling. I was like, ‘Keep smiling, we’ll keep making plays.’ ”

Griese, earning the start because of Bubby Brister’s strained oblique muscle, was 19 for 31 for 363 yards.

“Brian’s performance is what we expect of him,” Denver Coach Mike Shanahan said. “We had a total team effort around him, and that’s what made the difference.

“We made some strides today, and we can build on that.”