Rodgers tosses four TD passes, Packers roll over Bears
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers helped the Green Bay Packers get another big win against the rival Chicago Bears and move closer to their second straight NFC North title.
Rodgers threw four touchdown passes as the Packers rolled to a 41-25 victory over the slumping Bears on Sunday night. Green Bay improved its overall record in this series to 100-95-6, including a 20-5 mark against the Bears in games Rodgers has started.
“It’s special to be a part of this rivalry,” Rodgers said. “There’s few rivalries like this in all of sports — one or two in just about every league. This is one of the premier ones.”
Green Bay (8-3) scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions and grabbed a three-game division edge over Chicago (5-6) and Minnesota. Since winning five of their first six games, the Bears have dropped five straight.
“I just felt like they got after us the entire game from the first quarter until the very end,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said. “That’s basically where we’re at right now. Talked to the guys in the locker room afterwards. There’s guys that care. I think that’s what’s important to us.”
The Packers capitalized on mistakes by Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who was making his first start since the third week of the season. Trubisky threw three touchdown passes — including two to Allen Robinson — but also committed three turnovers that led to Packers touchdowns.
Darnell Savage picked off a pair of Trubisky passes for his first two interceptions of the season. After Za’Darius Smith sacked Trubisky and forced a fumble, Preston Smith picked up the loose ball and ran 14 yards for a touchdown that gave the Packers a 27-3 lead late in the second quarter.
Trubisky went 26 of 46 for 242 yards while starting in place of Nick Foles, who injured his glute and hip in a 1913 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 16. Rodgers was 21 of 29 for 211 yards.
“I can’t take the offense off the field like that, with sudden changes, and just putting the ball in harm’s way,” Trubisky said. “You’re just not going to win games, or be in games, if you turn the ball over.”
Chicago’s David Montgomery had 103 yards rushing — including a 57-yard burst — and also had a 3-yard touchdown catch. Green Bay’s Aaron Jones rushed for 90 yards, while Jamaal Williams ran for 73 yards and a touchdown.
“We knew it was going to be a physical football game, and I thought our guys did an outstanding job in every facet,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.