MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre was clearly uncomfortable this week with all the attention on this reunion, trying to downplay the significance of playing the Green Bay Packers and stumbling through denials that his main motivation to unretire last year was revenge.

In the hours before kickoff, though, the game's magnitude dawned on him and spawned nerves he hadn't felt in a long time.

On Monday night, Favre became the first quarterback in history to beat all 32 NFL teams — and the last one sure meant a lot.

Favre's first game against his former team was all fun for the Minnesota Vikings and all frustration for the Packers, as the graying quarterback kept his cool and connected for three touchdown passes and 271 yards in a 30-23 victory.

"I don't know how to explain it. I felt right, but I guess I never thought I'd be in that situation," Favre said.

Favre went 24 for 31, without a turnover.

"Didn't expect him to do that," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said. "I thought we would play better, but obviously we didn't. And, you know, give him a lot of credit. Played a great game, and apparently he got his wish tonight and stuck it to us pretty good."

Favre celebrated his first scoring toss with an awkward body bump with kicker Ryan Longwell, also a former Packers teammate, and knocked down Chester Taylor on the next one — showing plenty of emotion on this most emotional night. He stayed poised in the pocket all night, too, and avoided the risky throws that have defined his career almost as much as the success.

"It's why I play the game. It was fun. It never gets old to me, even though I do," Favre said.

The Vikings (4-0) sacked Favre's replacement, Aaron Rodgers, eight times.

Jared Allen was credited with 4Z\x of them, a career high, including a safety in the fourth quarter that stretched the lead to 16. Rodgers had his first two turnovers of the season, and Favre turned both of them into vintage touchdown passes in the first half.

"I definitely wanted to get this win for Brett," teammate Adrian Peterson said. "It was a big game for him, even though he downplayed it a lot, but you just knew it. You could see it in his eyes."

Favre hugged Rodgers and several other Packers once the game was over.

"I've been saying all along the guy can play. I just wanted to relay that to him," Favre said of his former backup in Green Bay.