DETROIT (AP) – Brett Favre’s 15th season got off to a dreadful start.

Two of Favre’s three turnovers led to 10 points in a game in which scoring was scarce, helping the Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers 17-3 Sunday.

Detroit won its opener for a third straight year, but the Lions hope this season doesn’t wind up like the last two – or the two before that. Since 2001, the Lions have lost an NFL-high 48 games.

Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes , including one to rookie Mike Williams with 4:13 left, to give Detroit an early lead in the NFC North following Minnesota and Chicago losses earlier in the day.

Favre then drove to Detroit’s 12 before he was sacked twice and threw his second interception, a heave on fourth down from the 33 picked by Terrence Holt in the end zone. The three-time MVP finished 27-of-44 for 201 yards with two interceptions and one fumble.

The Packers had their worst day offensively since Sept. 13, 1992, when Tampa Bay beat them 31-3, two weeks before Favre started his record streak of playing 227 straight games, including the playoffs. Green Bay didn’t have a first down in the second half Sunday until its sixth drive.

Favre fumbled on the opening possession of the second half, leading to Jason Hanson’s 21-yard field goal.

His interception midway through the fourth quarter, snagged by a diving Kenoy Kennedy, whose fumble was caught by teammate Holt, led to Williams’ 3-yard TD catch.

The three-time defending division champions had beaten the Lions in eight of the last nine meetings.

Harrington was 15-of-28 for 167 yards with two TDs, and no turnovers. Kevin Jones ran for 87 yards and Marcus Pollard caught five passes for 58 yards, including a 9-yard TD on Detroit’s second drive.

Green Bay’s Ahman Green was held to 58 yards and Donald Driver had four catches for 48 yards.

In a game that was expected to develop into a high-scoring affair, but both teams struggled to get to the end zone, or simply move the ball.

Green Bay’s offense took a hit when Javon Walker, Favre’s favorite target, went down early in the third quarter with an injured right knee.

The Packers hurt their chances with 14 penalties for 100 yards and Favre argued for at least a few calls that were not made against the Lions. Green Bay cornerback Ahmad Carroll was flagged for illegal use of hands three times, including twice on one drive, and two other penalties that were declined.

Detroit’s first-string offense didn’t score a TD in the preseason, but did on its second drive.

Harrington threw a 9-yard TD pass to Pollard after an earlier pass to him in the end zone was broken up by safety Mark Roman.

Green Bay got to the Lions’ 4 on the ensuing drive, but came away empty because holder B.J. Sander mishandled a good snap on a botched field-goal attempt.

On the Packers’ next possession, Ryan Longwell kicked a 50-yard field goal to make it 7-3 late in the second quarter.

Favre’s fumble gave the Lions great field position, but Green Bay stuffed Jones on a dive from the 1 and broke up a pass in the end zone, forcing them to settle for a field goal.

AP-ES-09-11-05 1951EDT

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