Favre gets chance to rest arm in big win

Vikings coach Brad Childress made it clear shortly after Brett Favre's arrival this summer that he would rest his 40-year-old quarterback if the opportunity presented itself.

Childress did just that in four one-sided victories by putting Tarvaris Jackson into games, but until Sunday, the most Jackson had played in a single game was two series.

However, with the Vikings leading Seattle 28-3 late in the third quarter, Favre put on his baseball cap after throwing four touchdown passes and Jackson played the final quarter.

The Vikings have been very careful because Favre underwent offseason surgery for a torn biceps tendon in his right arm, and he has been on a pitch count in practice. His throws in practice also have likely decreased even more in recent weeks as he has been limited by a hip and groin issue.

Childress made it clear he was happy to get Favre some time off.

"That's obviously the big thing that went along with it," he said of making the change to Jackson. "It's rare that you have the luxury to be able to do that. But I don't think you can discount it as we go later into the season. [Favre is] never going to fight you on it but he wants to win and he loves to compete. He'd be the first to tell you that he's not in it to practice every day. But he loves those Sundays. I didn't have to arm wrestle him or anything like that, but it was nice."

Favre will tie former Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall's NFL record of 282 consecutive regular-season games Sunday against the Bears. That mark is for a non-kicker or punter; Giants punter Jeff Feagles has played in 353 consecutive games.

Asked if he would be willing to sit out a game this season if the Vikings had clinched the NFC North and the top seed in the conference, Favre said: "I'm not even going to focus on that. We have the Bears coming in here next week. I know it's foolish to look past this game for any of us. We have a lot of football left to play."

On his 8-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe started on the line but shifted to the wide receiver spot before the snap. He was covered by safety Deon Grant.

Childress said Shiancoe belongs in that group of tight ends who are versatile enough to play next to the tackle or split out wide. Childress called them a "new wave of tight ends."

"Shank has some of those wide receiver type capabilities and he's a big body and if you can get the right match against the safety those are good matches out there," Childress said.

Shiancoe said he's lined up in that spot several times.

"I love that kind of stuff," he said. "I just love being out there and being involved. It's fun. We're having fun out there and I'm pretty sure it's fun to watch, right? Dynamic offense. Everybody is getting the ball. You kind of don't know what to expect in the offense."

• Childress said that cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) wanted to play Sunday but the decision was made to sit him for the fourth game in a row. "He's close," to returning, Childress said. "I'll just say that."

• The Vikings will wear their throwback helmets and jerseys for a second time this season Sunday against Chicago. Former Vikings linebacker Scott Studwell, the team's director of college scouting, will be inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor at halftime.