Record-breaking Aaron Rodgers steals the headlines as Green Bay Packers score convincing win over the Chicago Bears
With 39 completions in a 26-10 win, Aaron Rodgers breaks Brett Favre’s Packers record (36) for most in a game
Aaron Rodgers threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, Davante Adams and Ty Montgomery emerged as playmakers in the second half and the Green Bay Packers beat the offensively challenged Chicago Bears 26-10 on Thursday night.
Rodgers was 39 of 56, setting a franchise record for completions in a game in the Packers’ first contest without injured running back Eddie Lacy.
The Packers (4-2) moved effectively on short gains most of the night, but couldn’t break into the end zone until Adams caught the first of his two touchdown receptions with 9:11 left in the third quarter for a 13-10 lead.
Rodgers and Adams combined again for a four-yard score on the first play of fourth quarter for a 10-point lead.
It was effectively over from there for the Bears (1-6), who lost quarterback Brian Hoyer to a broken left arm in the second quarter.
With Jay Cutler already out with a right thumb injury, Chicago turned to third-stringer Matt Barkley.
An offence that was already 31st in the league in scoring got worse. Barkley was 6 of 15 for 81 yards and two interceptions.
Coach John Fox tried to lean on the rush against the NFL’s third-best run defence. It didn’t work either.
Kadeem Carey had 48 yards on 10 carries, including a 24-yarder. Receiver Alshon Jeffery was held to three catches for 33 yards against a Packers secondary without its top three cornerbacks because of injuries.
It got so bad for the Bears that Rodgers had more completions (37) than the Bears had offensive plays (36) by 5:31 of the fourth quarter.
That 37th completion for Rodgers was two-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb for a 16-point lead.
Adams, Montgomery and Cobb each finished with at least 10 receptions.
Hoyer left early in the second quarter after getting hit by Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews on an incompletion on third-and-6 from midfield. The right-handed Hoyer looked as if he landed on his left arm. He was attended to by trainers on the field for a couple minutes before going to the locker room. Hoyer was 4 of 11 for 49 yards.
