{image1} This is getting to be routine.

For the second straight Sunday, the Packers' Brett Favre set up a game-winning field goal by Ryan Longwell at the buzzer. This time, Longwell's 46-yarder beat the Houston Texans, 16-13.

Last week, Longwell beat the Vikings with a field goal at the buzzer. Favre also set up that one with a drive in the last couple minutes.

Favre, who ranks among the all-time greats in comeback wins, worked the two minute drill to perfection against the Texans with six completions. The final went to Donald Driver after Favre scrambled. It set up Longwell, who put his kick just within the right upright.

The win kept the Packers even with the Vikings at the top of the NFC North. Both teams are 6-4.

Houston did not make it easy. Young David Carr had a great first half. The Texans' defensive unit, which had given up 80 points in the last two games, held the Packers to a field goal in the first half. The Texans went into halftime with a 13-3 lead.

The Packers looked to have it going on the first series of the second half, but Favre then threw an interception. Green Bay still had only three points after three quarters, but the encouraging thing for Packers' fans had to be that the Texans also did not score in the third quarter.

Favre turned it up a notch in the fourth quarter. He led Driver perfectly for a touchdown on the first drive of the quarter. After the Texans went three and out on the next series, Favre brought the Packers within field goal range, and Longwell tied the score at 13-13 with 7:55 left.

Houston again went three and out, but it looked like the game might go to overtime when Favre threw his second interception of the contest.

But, once again, the Texans went nowhere in three plays and had to punt. Two minutes are an eternity when Favre is working the two-minute drill. His philosophy is to not go for everything at one time, but keep moving the chains with short passes. He worked it to perfection, setting up buzzer-beating heroics again by Longwell.

Players of the Game

Longwell and Favre get the main honors. Longwell, who became the first Packer in history to go over 900 career points last week, had two other field goals in addition to his game winner.

Favre finished with 33 of 50 passes for 383 yards and one touchdown. He took the game over in the fourth quarter, when the Packers scored 13 points.

Give special mentions to wide receivers Donald Driver, who had 10 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, and Javon Walker, who had nine receptions for 88 yards. The Packers had to go with the passing game after Ahman Green and Walter Williams, who was activated for the game because of an injury to Najeh Davenport, were injured and could not return.

On defense, Al Harris had some big plays and battled Andre Johnson, the Texans' top receiver all day. Linebacker Na'il Diggs was all over the field and drew the praise of the ESPN announcers on more than one occasion.

Give David Carr a mention for Houston. Carr, who considers Favre his idol, out-dueled the veteran in the first half, but the master showed how it is done in the fourth quarter.

Plays of the Game

Favre's completions on the final drive of the game and Longwell's game-winner have to get the designations.

The touchdown pass to Driver early in the fourth quarter also was a play of beauty. Favre dropped the ball right into Driver's hands before the receiver went out of the back of the end zone.

Goats of the Game

It's tough to find a player, but the Texans' coaches deserve sets of horns for sitting on the lead rather than going for more. They started giving the ball to Dom Davis, who came into the game with the lowest per carry average in the league, and took the ball out of the hands of Carr, who had such a hot first half. This resulted in a loss of momentum, and Favre took advantage of it.

Next week

The Packers play another night contest, when they host the St. Louis Rams in a Monday Night Football Game. They will be looking for their sixth straight win.

Certainly, the injuries to Green, Davenport and Williams have to concern coach Mike Sherman. Fullback Nick Luchey also is nicked up, so Tony Fisher and William Henderson were the only healthy backs at the end of Sunday's game.

The Rams have firepower, but the Packers are on a roll and will have the home field advantage at Lambeau. Look for On the Pack on the Tuesday after the game.