EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Becoming the winningest quarterback in NFL history didn't excite Brett Favre as much as another victory for the Green Bay Packers.
That's because two games into the 2007 season, The Pack might be back.
Favre completed his first 14 second-half passes and threw for three touchdowns in a 35-13 victory over the New York Giants that gave Green Bay its first 2-0 start since 2001.
"To be 2-0 with as many question marks are we have, I'm pleased," said Favre who debated long and hard in the offseason before deciding to return for a 17th campaign. "I can't say enough about the way this team has handled adversity. We have a long ways to go and it only gets tougher. The better you play, the more there is a target on your back."
Favre played great in collecting his 149th career win, moving past Hall of Famer John Elway. The 37-year-old completed 29-of-38 passes for 286 yards and one interception in picking apart a defense that has already given up 80 points in losing its first two games.
The win was the Packers' sixth straight, including the final four of last season. It also sets up an interesting matchup in Green Bay next weekend against the San Diego Chargers.
Favre and company haven't been to the playoffs since 2004.
"We're getting way too much attention right now," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "We never wanted to be this popular. We are 2-0 and we have a long way to go. We have a lot of improvements ahead of us. If no one notices us, I'm fine with that."
Favre made the Packers stand out on Sunday. The eight-time Pro Bowler led Green Bay on scoring drives of 51, 80 and 22 yards on their first three second-half series to overcome a 10-7 halftime deficit.
Favre threw a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown pass to Bubba Franks, and added TD tosses of 3 yards to Donald Lee and 10 yards to Donald Driver. The last one came after New York rookie Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled the kickoff after Lee's score.
"It's amazing," Driver said of Favre. "I'm just glad to say I am part of the legacy. When he gets ready to go to Canton, Ohio, I just hope to be in the audience cheering him on."
Favre was 18-of-21 for 147 yards in the second half as he constantly exposed the Giants' defense with short passes. It earned him a game ball.
"I'm not going to turn it down," Favre said. "I've always been about the team, that hasn't changed. I think it's unfair that the quarterback gets labeled with wins and loses; I think it's a team effort. Last week was a perfect example -- I didn't do nothing and they gave me a win."
Rookie DeShawn Wynn added touchdown runs of 6 and 38 yards for Green Bay.
The loss was the second straight for the undisciplined and error-prone Giants, which hasn't happened at the start of a season since 1996, the year Dan Reeves got fired.
Now Tom Coughlin, who came into the season under pressure to do more than make the playoffs, may be really under the gun.
"I think we are a better football team than we have shown," Coughlin said. "Obviously I don't have any real grounds for saying that, it is just a belief. I do believe we are all in it together and I do believe we are all embarrassed."
Eli Manning, whose playing status was uncertain all week because of a sprained shoulder, played well, leading New York to scores on three consecutive series bridging the second and third quarters. He threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress and helped set up field goals of 48 and 32 yards by Lawrence Tynes.
"Physically I'm fine," said Manning, who finished 16-of-29 for 211 yards and an interception before being lifted after Green Bay scored its final touchdown. "Mentally, I am upset with the loss and missed opportunities."
The Giants were guilty of two major mental blunders.
Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey was called for a delay-of-game penalty for spiking the ball after a first-down catch at the Packers 16 late in the first half with the score tied. Receiver Amani Toomer was called for taunting at the Green Bay 8 in the third quarter.
New York had to settle for field goals on both drives.
"I've always played like that," Shockey said. "If I don't play like I am, I need to find another occupation."
Notes: The Packers have won six straight regular-season games, the last four of 2006 and the first two this year. Driver has caught passes in 82 consecutive games. ... Giants rookie receiver Steve Smith left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. ...Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby, who was 3-for-3 last week, with a game-winning last-minute field goal, missed a 42-yarder on his only attempt this week.
