The Inquisitr » Sport

Back On Top: Federer Reclaims Top Men’s Tennis Ranking

AHN — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:17:54 +0000

London, England (AHN) – Roger Federer has struggled for a year to reclaim the number 1 title he owned for several years. After taking the ATP World Tour Finals title, he has succeeded.

He reclaimed his former glory in his knockout win against Andy Murray in the finals of the ATP World Tour by winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

At the end of 2008, Federer was ousted by Rafael Nadal, who seemed nearly invincible on the season – even taking out Federer in one of the most memorable Wimbledon finals in history.

At 28, Federer still has time to make engrave his name in all the record books.

He has already taken Sampras’ record for most career Grand Slam championships, and now hopes to hold the No. 1 spot at the end of the season for six years.

By finishing number No. 1 for a fifth year, he becomes one of only three other players who have accomplished this feat.

The third is Jimmy Connors.

Korean Shin on Rise in Women’s Golf; Nearly Captures Player Of Year Award

AHN — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:57:11 +0000

Houston, TX (AHN) – Taking the LPGA by storm is Korean rising star Shin Ji-yai, who has just missed taking Player of the Year awards by a single point.

Lorena Ochoa claimed the honor in a tight race, 160 to 159, after finishing second at the LPGA Tour Championship.

Despite the setback, Shin won three LPGA events this season, and brought home $1.7 million in prize money.

Shin turned professional in the end of the 2005 season and spent three years playing for the Korean Tour before joining the LPGA.

While she just missed the Player of the Year, she did win rookie of the year honors, and was a leading money winner.

In her first year in the LPGA, she has claimed a total of six LPGA victories, including the Women’s British Open event in 2008.

Shin, a budding role model, has said numerous times she hopes her golfing abilities inspire young girls around the globe to chase their dreams as she did hers.

Nets owner wins key ruiling for Brooklyn arena

Joshua Lobdell — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:42:16 +0000

The State of New York’s top court has ruled that the State has the right to use eminent domain laws to seize property for the Atlantic Rail yards project. That means New Jersey Nets owner Bruce Ratner, and his company Forest City Ratner can complete construction on the Barclay’s Center the new Brooklyn home of his New Jersey Nets. Completion of this project is also a key point to Ratner’s potential sale of the Nets to Russian Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.

For sports fans the Atlantic rail yards, and the use of eminent domain, have very significant place in the history of the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the 1950’s Dodgers’ owner Walter O’Malley wanted the State to use eminent domain laws to give him the area surrounding the Atlantic Rail yards to build a replacement for Ebbets Field. A New York City Developer at the time refused to even consider O’Malley eventually moved his team to Los Angeles and many blame him for the urban decline Brooklyn has suffered since the team left.

This time around several property owners on the proposed site sued the State claiming that the state had no right to use eminent domain for the properties because the use of the land was to benefit a private enterprise. They claim the State of New York Constitution only allows the state to use eminent domain to seize land meant to be used by the public. The Court found that the area was blighted enough that the State had every right to use eminent domain to secure the property for the new project.

The owners of the properties and their attorneys have vowed to continue their fight when an Urban Development Agency goes to a Brooklyn Court in the next step to seize the properties. However it seems like the Atlantic Yards project is for the public good, and could help restore Brooklyn to prominence.

NFL Week 12 Power Rankings

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:44:34 +0000

1. New Orleans Saints- talk about a playoff feel, Monday night versus the Patriots, Awesome

2. Indianapolis Colts- A couple of ugly wins, but they are still wins

3. New England Patriots- Can anyone stop Wes Welker?

4. Minnesota Vikings- Brett Favre for MVP, sure why not

5. San Diego Chargers- Finally they are clicking in all part of the game

6. Arizona Cardinals- Tim Hightower gives them a running dimension not present last season

7. Cincinnati Bengals- Had a bad game in week 11, but the Steelers and the Ravens both lost as well

8. Philadelphia Eagles- LeSean McCoy is playing well in the absence of Brian Westbrook

9. Dallas Cowboys- Romo has a sore back, and they must beat the Raiders on Turkey Day

10. Pittsburgh Steelers- They must fix their kick off coverage

11. New York Giants- The big question mark here is defense

12. Green Bay Packers- the loss of Harris and Kampman hurt, and they must not have a hiccup at Detroit on Turkey Day

13. Denver Broncos- Can they regroup after the implosion

14. Jacksonville Jaguars- Not the prettiest team, but building momentum

15. Baltimore Ravens- They now must run the table to make the playoffs

16. Atlanta Falcons- Suffering from shaky play in the secondary

17. Miami Dolphins- Ricky Williams gets the chance to prove he is the man

18. Houston Texans- after losing to the Titans, they are in a must win against the Colts

19. Tennessee Titans- Riding a four game winning streak

20. New York Jets- Sanchez’s turnovers are too much for this team to overcome

21. Carolina Panthers- they are 0-5 when Delhomme attempts more than 30 passes

22. San Francisco 49ers- Four game road losing streak proves he is not ready to play with the elite

23. Chicago Bears- While Jay Cutler has been a disappointment, but so is the running game and the defense

24. Oakland Raiders- Gradkowski gives this team a better chance to win than Russell

25. Kansas City Chiefs- Chris Chambers has been a great pick up

26. Washington Redskins- Injuries make the offense that much worse

27. Seattle Seahawks- It looks like this is a team needing a complete rebuild

28. Buffalo Bills- They got their coach fired, but problems remain

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- competing for the number one draft pick

30. St. Louis Rams- They have lost 10 straight at home, are they going back to LA?

31. Detroit Lions- They could not beat the Browns in 60 minutes of football

32. Cleveland Browns- What a mess, what else is there to say?

Michigan State Football Dismisses Pair; Broke Unspecified Team Rule

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:12:18 +0000

East Lansing, MI (AHN) – Michigan State announced Tuesday sophomore running back Glenn Winston and Roderick Jenrette have been dismissed from the football team for unspecified reasons.

The players violated team rules, according to the statement, though no further details were released.

Winston had been out of action due to an injury to his right knee, while Jenrette had been sidelined for the season with a broken foot.

There’s been speculation as to why they’ve been dismissed.

An incident was confirmed by The State News, MSU’s student-run paper, during which several students were involved in an incident at Rather Hall, where several students stormed into the dormitory and injured seven students this past weekend.

Some of the perpetrators wore ski-masks, but some did not – and were reportedly recognized as members of the football team.

According to eyewitnesses, the aggressors were looking for one man who was involved in an altercation earlier at a night club in East Lansing.

It is unknown, or yet to be released, if Winston and Jenrette were present or involved in the incident.

Quarterback Stafford, Wideout Johnson Iffy for Thursday Tilt Vs. Packers

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:06:11 +0000

Allen Park, MI (AHN) – The Detroit Lions may have to get by without Matthew Stafford and wideout Calvin Johnson for the Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Stafford did not practice Tuesday, and is said to have a sprained AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder. While it’s hurt, he said that it’s feeling much better.

Stafford’s first season with the Lions hasn’t been a storybook tale due to the team’s 2-8 record. He has compiled 1,911 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Johnson injured his left knee right at the start of their game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

He landed hard on his knee, and while soldiering through the pain, the injury has concerned the coaching staff.

This is not Johnson’s first bench sitting this season, as similar knee issues have kept him sidelined in two previous contests.

Johnson has rolled up 597 receiving yards on the season, as well as two touchdowns.

Both players are considered day-to-day, and their status for Thursday is questionable at best.

More Detroit Lions News and Notes

2009 UFL season in review: California Redwoods

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:51:30 +0000

What can we say about the second worst team in a brand new football league? Through the final weeks of the UFL season they were the most improved UFL team, and although they could only beat the hapless New York Sentinels in back to back weeks they gave the Florida Tuskers and the Las Vegas Locos all they could handle. It seems heir biggest problem was closing games out; this is a team that could play well for a half but never deliver the knock out blow to their opponents.

At the beginning of the year many though the Red woods, with QB’s Shane Boyd and Mike McMahon many thought they have the most experienced QB’s on the entire league. However, as the season unfolded the inconsistent play of both of these men really helped to sink this team. Together they threw 4 TD passes, but also had 9 interceptions.

Without a doubt the best player on this team was Running Back Cory Ross. Ross carried the ball 117 times gaining 462 yards and scoring four touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 149 yards and another touchdown. Ross is the MVP of the Redwoods hands down, and if they coaching staff can figure out how to use a weapon like this in year two the Redwoods will be one of the teams to beat in the UFL.

It seems kind of sad that this was the worst drawing team of the inaugural UFL season. For their three home games just 17,500 fans made the trip twice to the San Francisco Giants home AT&T Park, and once to the football stadium at San Jose St. For the second UFL season the team will play all of its games in San Jose, and they will look to draw enough fans to make the club financially viable.

More UFL News and Notes

Cards Slugger Pujols Captures NL MVP Honor

AHN — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:30:33 +0000

St. Louis, MO (AHN) – Albert Pujols took all 32 first place votes to win his second straight NL MVP and third of career. The Baseball Writers Association of America apparently felt that no other National League player dominated like Pujols did in 2009, and they were probably right. He led the NL in on-base percentage (.443), slugging (.658), and home runs (47).

He was second in the NL with 45 doubles and third with a career-high 115 walks. Pujols was also ranked third with 135 RBI and finished with 186 hits. He also matched his career high with 16 stolen bases. With all 32 first place votes going to Pujols, he finished with 448 points for MVP honors.

Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins came in second with 233, and former MVP Ryan Howard was third with 217. Prince Fielder of the Brewers and Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies round out the top five respectively. Pujols is the 10th player overall to win at least three MVP, and must be considered among the game’s all-time greats. Barry Bonds was the last as he won four straight from 2001-2004. For his career, Pujols has racked up 366 home runs, 1112 RBI, and 61 stolen bases.

He is averaging .334 and an on-base percentage of .427.

NBA, NHL Team Owner Pollin Dead at 85; Businessman Also Did Philanthropic Work

AHN — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:07:16 +0000

Washington D.C. (AHN) – Washington Wizards owner, Abe Pollin, who brought the single NBA championship to our nation’s capital died Tuesday at the age of 85. Pollin’s company, Washington Sports & Entertainment, made the announcement but did not disclose any further details. Pollin has been suffering from supranuclear palsy, a brain disorder that limits movement and the ability to remain balanced. In 2005 he had heart bypass surgery and in 2007, he broke his pelvis. As the NBA’s longest tenured owner, Pollin has been the majority owner of the Wizards for 45 years. Pollin graduated from George Washington University of Washington D.C. in 1945. He worked for his family’s construction company for 12 years until he started his own in 1957. As a successful contractor in the D.C. area, Pollin headed the group to purchase the Baltimore Bullets in 1964. He moved the Bullets to Washington in 1973. In 1996, Pollin spearheaded a campaign to change the name of the Bullets because of the negative connotations it held in what was considered the nation’s murder capital for many years. A contest was held where “Wizards” was eventually chosen.

According to Pollin himself, his greatest accomplishment was the building of the Verizon Center. He risked most of his fortune for the arena, which helped revitalized a previously impoverished downtown D.C. area since its opening in 1997. The Bullets won the NBA title in 1978 and Pollin vowed he would not sell the team until another championship was brought to Washington. Pollin’s other accomplishment, the Capital Centre, where the Bullets played in Landover, MD was the country’s first sports venue that included luxury boxes and a large replay screen. Along with the Washington Wizards, Pollin was majority owner of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.

He was also known as a charitable man, paying for affordable housing and helping to start a local Boy’s and Girl’s Club according to a blog in the Washington Post. Pollin is survived by his wife Irene, his sons Robert and James, and two grandchildren.

Ex-Steelers Coach Cowher Not A Fit For Bills; Not Interested In Post

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:55:09 +0000

Buffalo, NY (AHN) – The Buffalo Bills have approached former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, asking him if he wants the vacant head coaching job. Cowher has denied them, however, not wishing to be interviewed.

That leaves former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan as a front runner to become the Bills next coach. He’s expected to interview with them next week.

Cowher has been asked by many teams to join up since retiring from coaching at the end of 2006.

He originally was offered the head coach position of the Steelers back in 1992. His overall record was 149-90-1.

If there is one thing Cowher is looking for in a team, it’s namely an established quarterback with talent.

While he has not denied interest in coaching again, he has resolved himself not to consider any vacancies until the end of the season.

He is currently working as a pregame analyst for CBS.

More Buffalo Bills News and Notes

Chargers’ Cromartie Investigated For Bar Incident; Under Suspicion For Assault

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +0000

San Diego, CA (AHN) – San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie is the target of investigation after reports said he assaulted another person with a deadly weapon during an after-hours celebration at a Pacific Beach bar.

Cromartie allegedly threw a champagne bottle across the bar. It hit a 24-year-old patron in the head. While Cromartie wasn’t arrested, the patron sustained minor injuries.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where three staples were put in his head. He also underwent a CAT scan to see if there was any damage.

Eyewitness reports say that Cromartie approached a group of patrons, and threw the bottle into the back of the man’s head.

The cornerback claimed the bottle ’slipped out of his hand.’

On his Twitter account, Cromartie wrote: “I want to apologize to Charger nation and my fans. There’s [some] stuff out [about] me that’s not true. It will come out. God Bless.”

Cromartie’s agent told TMZ that his client did not actually throw the bottle, and that numerous people were spraying champagne everywhere.

Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen sucker punched outside bar

Kim LaCapria — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:14:40 +0000

ESPN is blogging that “a person briefed on the incident” says Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen was “sucker punched” by an angry fan outside a restaurant in South Bend.

Clausen was dining out with his parents, and left the unnamed establishment early Sunday. The source says that the “fan” said something to Clausen and/or a “female acquaintance” before the incident, which followed a Notre Dame loss that day to the Connecticut Huskies. A police spokesperson questioned about the fracas said that no reports were filed over the weekend involving Clausen.

Reports have the restaurant in question as CJ’s Pub on Michigan Avenue in South Bend. A bartender at CJ’s Pub would only comment to say that the scuffle “”absolutely did not take place inside the bar.” He did, however, comment that Clausen was present with family members and teammates at the bar early Sunday after Notre Dame’s final home game at Notre Dame Stadium.

2009 MLB season in review: Boston Red Sox

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:32:40 +0000

Sure the Boston Red Sox made the post season, but in a town who has won two recent World Titles that simply is not good enough, and their exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels is one that is going to leave a sour taste in the mouth of Red Sox nation. Getting swept out of the first round of the playoffs tends to make a fan base sick, but this loss is one that seemed avoidable. Not once, not twice, but three times their, All Star Closer Jonathan Papplebon had two outs and two strikes on Angels’ hitters and yet they all reached a base, and the Red Sox season came to an end. However at the very lest 2009 was a successful campaign for the Red Sox.

Their final record was 95-67, and they finished 8 games back of their hated rival New York Yankees. While they got off to a hot start, spending 55 days in first place and built a five game lead in the American League East, However a late august side of six games lead many to think that not only would the Rd Sox lose their division, but choke away the AL Wild Card to the Texas Rangers.

The Red Sox offense led by David Ortiz, Jason Bay, and Dustin Pedoria was able to score 872 runs. As a unit they hit .270 for the year, which was the fourth best team batting average in the A.L. They hit 212 home runs, had 1,495 hits, but stuck out 1,120 times. That was the fourth most strike outs of any A.L. team. Their starting five pitchers featured three pitchers who had double digit victories. Their staff ERA was 4.35 and the struck out 1,230 batters while issuing 530 walks.

In all 3,062,699 fans came to Fenway Park to see Boston Red Sox games. For their 81 home games they averaged 37,811 fans good enough for 8th of the 30 MLB teams. The really good new is the Red Sox sold more than 100% of their 2009 ticket inventory so their season was a very lucrative one.

2009 UFL season in review: New York Sentinels

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:23:52 +0000

What can one say about a football team that doesn’t win a single game? The first thing that we could say is that if it were not for the Detroit Lions 0-16 campaign last year that they were the worst professional football team ever, however it seems the Detroit Lions will retain that tile for a while. This winless campaign is more a league problem than an individual team problem, the UFL features two really good teams, and two pretty bad teams. While the California Redwoods where able to make numerous roster changes to help their cause, the Sentinels were unable to do just that , and suffered a long list of injuries.

The first problem seems to be the Sentinels have the wrong Head Coach. While Tim Cottrell was a very fine Defensive assistant in the NFL, the USFL, and among the College Ranks, the simple fact here is he was passed over several times for NFL Head Coaching jobs. It seems those clubs were right to take on pass on Cottrell. In the end he was the lowest profile coach of the four UFL teams, and since he was coach of the New York team the spotlight could have been his, however a winless campaign is not something a coach wants on his resume.

The Sentinels had all kinds of problems on both sides of the ball, but many of their problems stemmed from the inconsistent play of their Offensive Line. Granted they suffered numerous injuries to said line, but good football teams are able to rise above that. This is also a team that had four men take snaps as QB and all four were equally ineffective. They could not move the ball either through the air, or on the ground. With 140 rushing attempts they gained only 416 yards on the ground and it took them more than five games to score a rushing TD.

In the end turnovers were also a problem for this tem, they gave up 17 turnovers, the most in the league, and had four in their final game. The simple fact here is before the UFL tries to expand they should take sometime and fix the problems of the Sentinels.

More UFL News and Notes

Raiders Shock Bengals In First Game Of Gradkowski Era

Joshua Lobdell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:35:59 +0000

Oakland, CA (AHN) – The Oakland Raiders pulled a rabbit out of their hat during Brad Gradkowski’s first showing as quarterback, sneaking past the AFC North division leading Cincinnati Bengals 20-17.

While Gradkowski’s first showing was nothing to be awed by, but he got the job done in completing 17 of 34 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Adding the additional six points was kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who managed to stick a 52 yard attempt in the third quarter.

For Oakland, it was Cincinnati’s own inability to capitalize on chances and score touchdowns which sealed the deal.

The Bengals had greater output with 348 total offensive yards to the Raiders 275. They absolutely dominated the play clock, owning 38:24 of the 60 minutes.

They gave back 59 of those yards on eight penalties, however, allowing the Raiders more chances with less effort.

Oakland, which improved to 3-7, travels to face Dallas Thursday

More Oakland Raiders News and Notes

NFL’s Top Tackler Lofton Trying To Keep Falcons Defense Together

Joshua Lobdell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:29:26 +0000

Atlanta, GA (AHN) – The Atlanta Falcons took a hard loss on Sunday against the New York Giants, watching their playoff prospects dim dramatically as they fall to 5-5.

With the 10-0 New Orleans Saints dominating their league, there only realistic hope for a playoff race is with the Wild Card, though they are behind the Eagles, the Giants and the Packers in the hunt by a game.

It’s up to the team leaders to step up, and shake off their two-game losing streak with a dramatic surge as they go into the final six games of the season.

Defensive leader Curtis Lofton must remain one of the cornerstones of the Falcons defense, and inspire the other young guys to rise up.

Overall, the Falcons have been very beatable on defense, sixth worst in the league as far as allowing total offensive yardage.

They rank in the bottom half of the league in total points allowed, and are the eighth most defensively penalized team in the league.

With veteran safety Erik Coleman not yet 100 percent, and injuries to Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood which kept them out against the Giants, the Falcons depth has taken a severe beating.

It will be literally do or die time next week, in their match-up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While they match-up well, each loss from here on in will be a staggering setback as fewer and fewer chances to make up ground will be available

More Atlanta Falcons News and Notes

Video: Devin Hester gets pantsed

Kim LaCapria — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:21:10 +0000

In addition to a 24-20 loss on Sunday, Bears receiver Devin Hester suffered further insult in getting totally pantsed by Eagles CB Dmitri Patterson.

In the clip below, Patterson pulls Hester’s pants down, and his derriere is exposed for a couple of seconds, on TV. Burn.

Four’s Magic Number For Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson

AHN — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:28:15 +0000

Homestead, FL (AHN) – Four was the magic number Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Denny Hamlin led three times for 71 laps en route to his fourth win of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, while Jimmie Johnson won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Cup championship.

“We’re going be there in the next couple of years. I promise you we’re going to win a championship,” said Hamlin. “There’s no more deserving champion than them.”

Hamlin drove from the back of the pack in 38th to the win in the season finale Ford 400, but the night belonged to Johnson, who accomplished something that a Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt Sr. didn’t do.

With a fifth-place finish in the season finale, Johnson secured a 141-point win over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin to win his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series championship.

“It’s going to take a little while to sink in. To do something (the legends) have never done is so awesome. I don’t know where to start,” said Johnson. “This is unbelievable. When the Chase started we all buckled down and got it right. I’m very proud of the effort we had here today.”

Martin finished second in the championship race for the fifth time in his career.

Hendrick teammate and four-time champion Jeff Gordon enabled Hendrick to sweep the podium as Hendrick placed three of its four drivers among the top-3 in points.

Jeff Burton took runner-up honors behind Hamlin in the 36th points race of the season and was followed by Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Johnson, Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and AJ Allmendinger.

“It doesn’t matter what you want out of life. I got a lot out of this year. I was happy. It just made things a little bit better. This was like icing on the cake to have a year like this,” said Martin. “If you look at it we were the only car in the field, the only team in the field that even had a chance at (beating Johnson).”

Cardinals Top Rams, Remain Perfect On Road

AHN — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:15:19 +0000

St. Louis, MO (AHN) – After leading the Arizona Cardinals to a 21-3 halftime lead, Kurt Warner left with a reported head injury .

While backup Matt Leinart was ineffective for the Cardinals, Warner’s replacement in St. Louis, Marc Bulger, led the Rams on a valiant comeback that came up short .

Bulger threw for 216 yards, Steven Jackson ran for 116 and a score, but Arizona held on for a 21-13 road win.

Warner was 15-of-19 for 203 yards and two touchdowns before leaving.

Tim Hightower ran for 110 yards on 14 carries for the Cardinals, who improved to 7-3 overall and 5-0 on the road.

The dismal Rams fell to 1-9.

Brett Favre’s Four Touchdown Strikes Lead Vikings Past Seahawks

AHN — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:40:11 +0000

Minneapolis, MN (AHN) – Brett Favre continues to build on his legend. The 40-year-old added a couple more records to his historic career during Minnesota’s 35-9 win over the Seahawks Sunday at the Metrodome.

Favre threw four touchdown passes for the 22nd time in his career, passing Dan Marino for an NFL record. He also set a Vikings team record, completing 88-percent of his passes by going 22-of-25.

Head Coach Brad Childress said, “I think he is doing a great job of using the system to his advantage,” Childress, who received a contract extention earlier this week, added, “[Favre]’s got a good feel for all the tools that he has.”

Each of Favre’s touchdown passes went to different receivers. He found rookie Percy Harvin in the second quarter for a 23 yard strike to give Minnesota an early 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, he hooked up with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe for an eight-yard touchdown.

It was Shiancoe’s seventh score on the year, tying his career best.

The Vikings added one more score before the half, when Favre found Bernard Berrian from three yards out, giving Minnesota a 21-0 lead after two quarters.

Favre tossed his final touchdown in the third quarter to his main wide receiver Sidney Rice.

Rice leaped over a pair of Seahawk defenders and came down with a seven-yard touchdown. It was the first of two touchdowns on the afternoon for Rice, who also caught a 34-yarder from Tavaris Jackson.

Rice, who had seven catches for 201 yards a week ago against Detroit, finished the day with six grabs for 89 yards, a team high.

Seven different Vikings caught passes. Favre said, “I thought everyone had a hand in this performance today.”

The Vikings improve to 9-1 and sit atop the NFC North. They host Chicago next Sunday in a matchup of division foes.

Favre said, “We obviously have put ourself in a very good position, as we have every week, but there is still a lot of football left to play.”

With the Vikings ahead 28-3 in the third quarter, Favre exited the game for backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson.

While going to the sidelines, Vikings fans chanted MVP, MVP, MVP.