National Football League

Vikings QB Brett Favre records three NFL milestones in loss to Jets

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:18 p.m. ET

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Despite an ugly performance for most of the game, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre reached three historic NFL milestones on Monday against the New York Jets.

Favre's 37-yard, over-the-shoulder touchdown pass to new wide receiver Randy Moss with 2:11 left in the third quarter gave the 41-year-old quarterback 500 career touchdown passes.

Moss, acquired last week to spark the passing game, beat cornerback Antonio Cromartie deep and Favre hit him in stride, resuscitating an offense that managed just 52 yards in the first half and missed on its first six third-down conversion attempts.

Favre finished the game with 502 career touchdowns after throwing two scores to wide receiver Percy Harvin, who wasn't hampered by All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. A 34-yard slant route for a score converted a crucial third and 19 early in the fourth quarter.

Favre also became the NFL's most reliable fumbler of all time.

Favre's two miscues gave him 162 fumbles for his career, tying and eventually breaking Warren Moon's record of 161. The fumbles quelled whatever momentum the Vikings had in New Meadowlands Stadium.

His first fumble came late in the second quarter after a 7-yard pass to Moss, the pair's first hookup. Favre fumbled Ryan Cook's snap in the I-formation, and linebacker Bart Scott recovered.

Favre then botched the handoff to Adrian Peterson on the offense's first drive of the second half. Peterson kicked the loose ball, and Revis scooped it up for a 10-yard run.

Favre placed his hands on his helmet in disbelief after the play.

A completion to Harvin midway through the third quarter gave Favre 70,000 yards for his career, accounting for 39.7 miles worth of completions.

Brady sends Moss a text: Randy Moss cleared the air regarding his old friend Tom Brady.

After reports of a Moss-Brady clash on his way out of New England, Moss said he got a text from Brady before the game.

"Sorry I didn't bring it home for ya," said Moss, alluding to Brady's desire for the Vikings to beat the Jets, the Patriots' NFC East rival.

Moss, who finished with four catches for 81 yards and one touchdown, said he's encouraged by his first week with the Vikings and the offense's three-touchdown second half.

The Vikings had 52 yards of total offense in the first half and 284 yards in the second half, mostly from the passing game. Favre and the Vikings connected on a 37-yard touchdown with 2:11 left in the third quarter.

Moss said he's trying to help second-year receiver Percy Harvin, who had two touchdowns Monday, as a veteran on the team.

"This is my 13th year," Moss said. "I'm here to help, not to take (Harvin's) spot."

Lineup changes: The addition of Moss helps the Vikings, but Bernard Berrian is feeling the effects in another way.

Moss, who had four catches for 81 yards in the game, officially replaced Berrian in the starting lineup. Berrian is marred by a five-catch, 38-yard slump through four games.

Moss started alongside Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who nursed a hamstring injury the past two weeks.

Berrian did not start in four games during his first two years with the Vikings. Berrian talked to the media last week about frustration with his lack of touches recently but added, "My attitude has to change."

Ryan Cook made his first NFL start at center while John Sullivan nursed a calf injury.

The Vikings went with five receivers in the game: Moss, Harvin, Berrian, Greg Lewis and Greg Camarillo. Hank Baskett was inactive.

Briefly: Cornerback Cedric Griffin limped off the field in the fourth quarter with a right knee injury. He did not return to the game.

Griffin tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in January and returned to the lineup on Sept. 26 against the Lions. He was seen in the locker room on crutches and was unable to put weight on his right leg.

Asked about the injury, Griffin said, "It's something new, not the same one (referring to his surgically repaired left knee)."

Defensive end Brian Robison left the game in the second quarter with a right ankle injury but returned to the sidelines in the second half.

Favre was holding his right throwing elbow late in the fourth quarter but appeared to be fine in the locker room after the game.

The Vikings went with backup Jon Cooper at center in the second half, but the Vikings had trouble running the ball up the middle all night on nose tackle Sione Pouha. Many of running back Adrian Peterson's best runs came on the outside.

The Vikings' defense gave up at least 150 yards rushing for the first time in 52 games, the second-longest streak in NFL history. The Jets reached 155 total rushing yards after Shonn Greene's 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.