GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – Brett Favre broke Dan Marino’s career completions record, but the Green Bay Packers had to overcome three interceptions by the three-time MVP for a 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

It was only the second home victory all season for the Packers (6-8), who have won two in a row.

Detroit (2-12) remains winless in seven games on the road. But it certainly had their chances.

Favre connected on a 21-yard pass to receiver Carlyle Holiday just before halftime for his league-record 4,968th completion. But Favre threw his first two interceptions in the red zone, and the third pick nearly proved even more costly.

Detroit starter Jon Kitna seemed to throw the game away by floating an interception to Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, then committing a face-mask penalty on Woodson to give the Packers a first down on the Detroit 12-yard line with a 10-6 lead in the third quarter. It was Woodson’s career-best sixth interception of the season.

But Favre squandered the scoring chance by throwing an interception to former Packers linebacker Paris Lenon in the end zone.

The Lions couldn’t drive for a score, and punter Nick Harris downed the ball deep in Packers territory. Favre then threw a pass that bounced off the hands of Ahman Green and was intercepted by Dre’ Bly.

The Lions took over at the Packers 12, but were forced to kick a field goal that cut Green Bay’s lead to 10-9 with 9:33 remaining.

The Packers came back with an extended drive ending with a 21-yard touchdown run by Vernand Morency, his second TD of the afternoon.

Favre was 20-of-37 for 174 yards, but failed to throw a touchdown pass. With two games remaining in the season, Favre needs eight more touchdown passes to pass Marino’s career mark of 420.

Favre now has 4,974 career completions, seven ahead of Marino. Last week, Favre extended his record of most consecutive and overall seasons with 3,000 yards passing to 15.

Kitna was 16-for-26 for 135 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Lions had only 142 net yards.

Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz used frequent presnap motion, something that confused the Packers in a blowout loss to the New York Jets at Lambeau Field two weeks ago, It didn’t work as well on Sunday.

Packers defensive end Cullen Jenkins, starting in place of veteran Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, had a career-high three of the Packers’ six sacks. Green Bay had only four sacks in its previous four games.

Jenkins’ third sack forced a Lions punt from their end zone, giving the ball to the Packers near midfield after punt returner Woodson nearly lost a fumble.

Favre drove the Packers to the 14 with a series of short passes, and Morency scored on a rambling cutback to make it 10-3.

Jenkins made another big play on fourth-and-1 in Packers territory, recovering a fumbled snap with the Lions threatening just before halftime.

The Packers blew one scoring chance in the first half when a bullet pass from Favre bounced off the chest of David Martin wide open in the end zone.

They squandered another when Favre threw too high to Ahman Green on second-and-goal and the pass was picked off by Jamar Fletcher.

AP-ES-12-17-06 1637EST


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