Harvin unleashes more lightning bolts

GREEN BAY, WIS. - Percy Harvin has heard a lot of different adjectives and superlatives used to describe his talent, but he thinks "electrifying" might be the most appropriate.

"Just stick with that one," he said, laughing.

The Green Bay Packers won't argue. While the spotlight shined brightest on Brett Favre in his return to Lambeau Field on Sunday, Harvin's performance in a 38-26 victory also deserved top billing.

The rookie finished with 261 total yards, on the strength of a long touchdown catch and two momentum-changing kickoff returns.

Not bad for a guy who was listed as questionable on the injury report after missing one day of practice because of an undisclosed illness. Harvin declined to give specifics, other than to say he felt fine Sunday.

"That kid is special," defensive end Jared Allen said. "His longevity in the league will determine how special he is, but the kid is doing things right now that not a lot of people do and we're blessed to have him."

Harvin had a team-high five catches for a career-high 84 yards. He also returned five kickoffs for 175 yards.

Harvin gave the Vikings a 24-3 lead with a 51-yard touchdown catch on the first possession of the second half. It was the same play call as last week at Pittsburgh, when Harvin dropped the pass after getting drilled by the safety deep down the middle of the field.

"I knew I was going to have another opportunity, and I just wanted to make the play," he said.

Favre threw the ball into triple coverage, but Harvin caught the ball as the Packers trio of defensive backs -- Atari Bigby, Charles Woodson and Nick Collins -- collided and ended up on the ground. That enabled Harvin to race to the end zone.

Harvin was equally hard to contain on kickoff returns. He answered a Green Bay field goal in the first quarter with a 77-yard return that gave the Vikings possession at the 14, leading to a 1-yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson.

Harvin grabbed the momentum for the Vikings again after the Packers pulled to within 24-20. He returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to the Green Bay 38. The Vikings took advantage of the short field again; Jeff Dugan caught a 2-yard touchdown pass.

"He had a way of coming back with a rebuttal every time," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "They scored and he comes right on back just like he knows what he has to do."

Harvin entered the game ranked No. 1 in the NFL in kickoff return average, which has given the offense consistently good starting field position.

"I tell the blockers, 'Just give me a hole and I'm going to hit it 100 miles per hour,' " Harvin said. "We know this offense is explosive so if we can start off on the plus side of the field, our chances of scoring is even greater. We've been doing a great job of that."

Harvin has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and also has three touchdown catches in his first eight NFL games. He said he didn't enter the league with any individual expectations, but he has added a new dimension.

"I told him today, 'I was sitting there praying that you would slip to that [22nd] pick [in the draft] because I knew what kind of ability he has," Peterson said. "He makes our offense just special."