Winfield practices but status unclear

Antoine Winfield returned to Vikings practice Wednesday for the first time since injuring his right foot on Oct. 18, but it remains unclear whether the Pro Bowl cornerback will play Sunday against Detroit.

Winfield had limited participation in practice after doing some conditioning work on the side on Monday. Winfield suffered the injury against Baltimore on Oct. 18 and then missed the final two games before the bye week.

"He's done a great job of attacking this thing, and if at all possible he wouldn't miss one more snap," Vikings coach Brad Childress said.

Winfield was unavailable for comment.

Brett Favre has thrown the most interceptions in NFL history, but he has only three in eight games this season. That is the second-lowest interception total among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 200 passes this season.

Favre credited a "combination of numerous things" for his low interception total. The list includes a terrific running game, playmakers at wide receiver and sound playcalling by offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

"And I think I have made good decisions," Favre said. "Really, my approach has not really been any different than it has in the past. I don't want to say I'm killing myself studying any more or less than I have in the past. The guys around me have played outstanding."

Favre mentioned his 51-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin at Green Bay on Nov. 1 as an example. Three defenders were in the area on Favre's deep pass down the middle, but Harvin made the catch as the three Packers collided, allowing Harvin to break into the end zone.

In hindsight, Favre said the pass "was not the best of decisions."

"It's just kind of freaky how it turned out," he said. "Percy made me look good and turned what could have been a bad decision into a great play. So things like that have obviously helped. The guys have bailed me out tremendously on certain plays and then, once again, the decision-making has been good."

The Vikings have a comfortable three-game lead in the NFC North and conceivably could clinch the division title before December, according to ESPN.com. Here are the scenarios required for that to happen, according to the website:

• The Vikings (7-1) need to win their next three games, all at home against Detroit, Seattle and Chicago.

• The Bears (4-4) need to lose to the Vikings and drop at least one of the other two games (San Francisco and Philadelphia).

• The Packers (4-4) need to lose at least two of their next three games (Dallas, San Francisco and Detroit).

If all that happens, the Vikings would own the tiebreakers with the Bears and Packers and clinch the division title before their next road game Dec. 6 at Arizona.

It probably goes without saying that Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen is not a big fan of Lions right tackle Gosder Cherilus.

Last season Cherilus caused Allen to suffer a sprained knee when he hit him low while he chased a play. Then, in the first meeting this season, Cherilus yanked hard on the back off Allen's shoulder pads while he was in a pile at the end of a play.

"We're not going to be friends, but as long as we can keep racking up W's I'll be the victor there [laughing]," Allen said during a conference call with Lions media.

Kickoff for the Vikings' home game against the Bears on Nov. 29 has been changed to 3:15 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for noon on Fox.

It is the second time a Vikings start time has been changed this season in order to attract a larger national television audience. Their game against the Packers at Lambeau Field before the bye week also was moved to 3:15 p.m.