The question about how much quarterback Brett Favre had left in the tank seems to have been answered in the past two games. The correct response: more than most people expected.

In the first two games, victories over the Browns and Lions, Favre completed 37 of 48 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. In the next two games, Favre completed 48 of 77 passes for 572 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. After throwing three TD passes in the 30-23 victory over his former team, the Green Bay Packers, Favre was named NFC offensive player of the week Tuesday.

"The easy explanation was that he was more of a game manager and he didn't have much left in the arm and couldn't take the (deep passing) shots. I think all that has gone to rest in the last couple weeks," Vikings coach Brad Childress said on a conference call Wednesday. "He's playing within the system. Typically, most systems are looking up high for a shot first, then to the intermediate, then to the check-down. He's been doing a good job with that."

OFFENSIVE LINE PROTECTION

Some of the credit for Favre's improvement lies in the improved play of the offensive line, which didn't allow a sack Monday. Favre was sacked nine times in the first three games; the fewer hits he takes, the better his chance to remain productive through the season.

Childress noted that the unit's improvement was due in part to newcomers John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt beginning to mesh with the veterans: guard Steve Hutchinson, tackle Bryant McKinnie and guard Anthony Herrera.

"It's always an evolution, it seems every year, with your offensive line," Childress said. "You'd like to say that they're up to speed coming out of training camp, but it's the under-fire snaps that draw them together and get their rhythm going. We're a quarter of the way through the season, and it's a work in progress."

SICK SACK MASTER

Defensive end Jared Allen collected 4½ of the Vikes' eight sacks against the Packers on Monday, the highest game total in his six-year career, while playing with a sinus infection. Allen, who has 6½ sacks this season, joined the Vikings last year, when Minnesota traded three draft picks — a first-rounder and two third-round picks — to the Chiefs. The Vikings then made Allen the league's highest-paid defensive end, signing him to a six-year, $72.3 million contract.

Childress says the team is getting its money's worth from Allen, who finished last year with 14½ sacks.

"He has more of a comfort level with the guys he plays with," Childress said. "He's exactly as advertised. He's a live wire. He keeps things loose in the locker room. He works his tail off in practice. He's a good football player."

QUICK HITS

Hutchinson (back), WR Darius Reynaud (hamstring) and DE Ray Edwards did not practice Wednesday. Favre (foot, ankle, knee), LB Erin Henderson (calf) and CB Cedric Griffin (hand) participated in some drills. ... The Vikings have won five consecutive games on the road and haven't allowed a running back to reach 100 yards in 27 games.