Brett Favre's highly anticipated first game back with the Vikings lasted all of four unspectacular plays and one series in a 15-10 loss to the 49ers in a nationally televised preseason game Sunday at Candlestick Park, the only NFL show of the night.
Favre completed a 13-yard pass to Adrian Peterson on his first play from scrimmage but was sacked by Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis two plays later and the Vikings wound up punting.
Alex Smith , Favre's 49ers counterpart, went 9 of 13 for 88 yards in a solid first half. Willis had four tackles playing only nine snaps.
He made do for a 49ers offense missing three of its biggest stars: receiver Michael Crabtree , tight end Vernon Davis and running back Frank Gore .
Smith completed his first four passes for 48 yards and 5 of his first six on the Niners' opening drive, including a 24-yard strike to backup tight end Delanie Walker that set up a 4-yard scoring run by rookie Anthony Dixon.
Smith was actually the bigger story in this game, on the field anyway, and looked pretty good, despite missing his three big guns. He looked solid moving out of the pocket and throwing with accuracy. Here at 4for4, we consider Smith a bit of a late-round sleeper with an easy schedule as he's rated the 16th best QB.
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