GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay didn't need Brett Favre to throw the ball all over the field to clinch the NFC North yesterday, relying on the rushing of Ryan Grant and a pair of special teams touchdowns from Will Blackmon in a 38-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

The Packers (11-2) assured an end to their two-year absence from the postseason with three games left.

"I don't know if too many people gave us a shot to be at this position," Favre said. "It says a lot about this team. I'm feeling good about my decision to come back, obviously."

Grant's hard running and sharp cutbacks came in handy on a day when Favre's aching right elbow and left shoulder hindered the Packers' passing game. Favre left last week's loss at Dallas because of the injuries and was limited in practice this week, but still made his 250th straight start.

Grant, who was acquired in a trade with the Giants just before the season and took over as the starter last month, rushed for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season. Grant's presence has boosted what had been one of the league's worst rushing offenses.

"I can't say enough about Ryan Grant," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he's really coming into his own."

Coach Lane Kiffin said the chilly 18-degree conditions didn't affect the Raiders (4-9), who trailed 14-7 at halftime only to unravel in the second half.

"I don't think the cold didn't tackle today," Kiffin said. "I don't think the cold threw incompletions today. I don't think the cold had nine penalties. We did."

Blackmon scored on 57-yard punt return in the second quarter and a fumble recovery in the end zone in the third quarter when Oakland punt returner Tim Dwight lost the ball after being hit by Jason Hunter.

Raiders quarterback Josh McCown, starting in place of the injured Daunte Culpepper, was 7-of-15 for 110 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He woke up with a stomach virus and took intravenous fluids before the game.

Favre completed 15 of 23 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

"My elbow was not 100 percent, so I knew going into the game that I was not able to throw it with a lot of velocity," he said.

TEXANS 28, BUCS 14

HOUSTON — Sage Rosenfels threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns, and Andre' Davis scored on a 97-yard kickoff return to lead Houston (6-7) over Tampa Bay (8-5). Rosenfels, who finished 27-of-36, has won both games he's started in place of the injured Matt Schaub. Luke McCown, who was sacked four times, was 25-of-38 for 266 yards with no touchdowns for the Buccaneers, who could have secured the NFC South title with a win.

JAGUARS 37, PANTHERS 6

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fred Taylor ran for 132 yards and a touchdown and Jacksonville (9-4) harassed Vinny Testaverde (13-of-28 for 84 yards), stuffed DeShaun Foster (11 carries for 46 yards) and locked down Steve Smith (six catches for 44 yards) to throttle Carolina (5-8). The Jaguars defense ended up sharing the spotlight with Taylor, whose 80-yard TD run with 9:48 to play was the longest run from scrimmage in the NFL this season.

BENGALS 19, RAMS 10

CINCINNATI — Rudi Johnson ran for 92 yards and a touchdown, Shayne Graham kicked four field goals in a driving rain, and Cincinnati (5-8) took advantage of St. Louis' (3-10) novice quarterback Brock Berlin. Berlin, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, played because injuries wiped out the Rams' top two options. He finished 15-of-28 for 153 yards and one interception.