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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:44 a.m., Sunday, December 9, 2007

NFL: Packers whip Raiders to clinch NFC North title

By Chris Jenkins
Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers didn't need Brett Favre to throw the ball all over the field to clinch the NFC North today, relying on the running of Ryan Grant and a pair of special teams touchdowns from Will Blackmon in a 38-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

The Packers (11-2) assured an end to their two-year absence from the postseason with three games left to play.

Blackmon, a backup cornerback who has missed most of the season because of a broken foot, returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and recovered a muffed punt by Raiders returner Tim Dwight in the end zone late in the third quarter.

Grant, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Giants just before the season and took over as the starter last month, rushed for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown, his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.

Grant's hard running and sharp cutbacks took pressure off the sore left shoulder and right elbow of Favre, who extended his quarterback-record consecutive starts streak to 250 regular-season games despite leaving last week's loss at Dallas because of the injuries.

Favre had a relatively quiet game after easing his way back into practice this week, but still completed 15-of-23 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

His biggest play went to Greg Jennings, who came down with a deep jump ball as Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt fell to the ground then ran for an 80-yard touchdown to put the Packers ahead 24-7 midway through the third quarter.

The Raiders (4-9) trailed only 14-7 at halftime despite struggling on offense, only to unravel in the second half.

Raiders quarterback Josh McCown, starting in place of the injured Daunte Culpepper, was 7-of-15 for 110 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions before he was replaced by Andrew Walter early in the fourth quarter. It was unclear whether McCown was replaced because of an injury, although he did appear to be favoring his left hand after a pair of hard hits.

Raiders running back Justin Fargas also left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent rib injury. He had only 57 yards rushing on 15 carries.