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Byline: - Matthew Kredell

Brett Favre has made 148 consecutive starts. Shane Matthews ... well, he's going for two games this week.

But the two quarterbacks, who will face each other when the Chicago Bears play host to the Green Bay Packers today, do have something in common: Their fathers are high school football coaches.

Each played his prep football for his own dad, which was dicey at times.

``Not only do you get coached like the other guys but you get some extra coaching,'' Favre said. ``To be fair, sometimes maybe a little more than you need. But you learn over the years to toughen up and take criticism. I know my dad was always tougher on me than he was the other guys, but I was OK with that.''

--Close encounters: Unexpected Super Bowl winners the past two years is evidence of parity in the NFL. That many games have been close this season bolsters the argument.

Seven games went into overtime the past four weeks. The Bears won both of their overtime games the past two weeks on interception returns to improve to a league-best 4-0 in games decided by seven points or fewer.

On average, games have been decided by 11.1 points, the fewest since 1995 (10.8).

Baltimore Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe attributes the parity to improved defenses.

``I think the thing is that defenses are just finally catching up with the offense,'' Sharpe said. ``Everybody saw what we did last year. You don't need to go out and score 30 points every game in order to get to the Super Bowl.''

--Add Favre: If Favre connects with receiver Antonio Freeman on a touchdown today, it will move them into a tie with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice for sixth place on the all-time touchdown tandem list with 55.

--Dan not the man: With just 15 yards passing against Carolina today, St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner will reach 10,000 passing yards in 35 career games, eclipsing Dan Marino as the fastest to reach the milestone. Marino took 37 games.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) BRETT FAVRE

Box: STANDINGS