Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― Brett Favre's smallest target was his biggest weapon on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Rookie Percy Harvin, all 5-foot-11 inches of him, caught a career-high six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, and picked up 45 yards on the ground in Minnesota's 36-10 victory over the Bears.

"I call him 'Little Phenom,"' star running back Adrian Peterson said. "He's got the heart of a lion when he's out there playing."

Harvin made several tough catches in traffic, absorbing big hits to keep the chains moving in another brilliant performance that is becoming the rule rather than the exception for the first-round draft pick out of Florida.

Favre has already identified Harvin as his favorite target on third downs this season, and three of the kid's six catches came on third down against the Bears. All three moved the chains for first downs, including a 17-yarder in the first quarter that Favre squeezed between three Chicago defenders -- the ultimate show of faith in Harvin's playmaking ability.

While it takes most receivers up to three years or more to learn the nuances of the position at the sport's highest level, Harvin has proved to be one of the rare quick studies who makes an immediate impact.

"I think Percy's on his way to a league of his own," Favre said. "He's quick like Wes Welker. He's got a long ways to go to be in the same category with Wes, but at the rate he's going he's a dominant force in a lot of ways."

Harvin was the first Vikings player Favre met when he arrived at team headquarters in August, and the 40-year-old quarterback has quickly bonded with the 21-year-old receiver who was 3-years-old when Favre entered the league in 1991.

"He is old enough to be my dad," Harvin said with a smile. "But at the same time, I enjoy playing with him."

Harvin also entered the game leading the NFC with a 29.8-yard average per kick return. The Bears kicked away from him all evening at the Metrodome, not wanting to risk seeing Harvin take a third one back for a touchdown this season.

"He is a special guy," guard Artis Hicks said. "A lot of it is just God-given talent. If he's not the rookie of the year on offense, I beg for you to show me somebody else who is doing even half of what he's doing as far as contributing to the success of the team."

Harvin now has seven touchdowns this season -- five as a receiver and two as a kick returner. He is second on the team with 42 catches for 602 yards and seems to be getting better as the season goes on.

Harvin said he is learning to dissect looks from opposing defenses more quickly to determine if it is zone or man coverage and how best to attack it. And there is one man, he said, who deserves most of the credit for his super-quick development.

"Probably a majority of it other than the coaching staff goes to (Favre)," Harvin said. "He's done a tremendous job with our receivers and our tight ends this year. The things he's taught us, it goes without saying."

With his unique blend of speed, toughness and quickness, the Vikings think this is only the beginning.

"He's a nightmare for defenses and special teams coordinators," Hicks said. "He's got a bright future. I knew he was going to be good, but it just surprises me that he's this good this quick. The sky is the limit for him."

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