Aaron Rodgers
The last time the Green Bay Packers dealt the Chicago Bears such a lopsided defeat was back in 1962 when Vince Lombardi’s team clobbered the George Halas led Bears 49-0.
Last night, the Packers jumped out to a big early lead and went on to post a 55-14 win over the Bears at Lambeau Field. It was coach Mike McCarthy’s ninth victory in his last 10 games in the series with Chicago.
Aaron Rodgers passed for six touchdowns, all in the first half, which set an NFL record. By the time Rodgers departed early in the third quarter, he had completed 18 of 27 for 315 yards and six touchdowns. His quarterback rating was 145.8.
Rodgers top target was Jordy Nelson who caught six passes for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Jay Cutler finished 22 of 37 for 272 yards with one touchdown. But Cutler was picked off twice, the second of which was a returned by Casey Hayward, 82 yards for a touchdown.
Cutler now has 22 interceptions and 14 touchdowns during his career against Green Bay and has fallen to 1-10 against the Packers lifetime.
Aaron Rodgers passer rating in the first half was 156.2. His total at the end of the game was 145.8, and he finished one touchdown shy of tying the NFL record for touchdowns in a game.
Rodgers dominates Bears
Since taking over in 2008, Rodgers is 13-1 against Chicago. He’s completed 309 of 453 for 3,665 yards with 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. But in two wins this season, Rodgers has thrown 10 touchdown passes in two games with just 15 incompletions.
Rodgers completed passes to nine different receivers on Sunday, including the first two touchdowns to tight ends Brandon Bostick and Andrew Quarless. That put the Packers out in front 14-0 and the Bears had to abandon the running game from there.
Jordy Nelson caught six passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive change
The Green Bay Packers also made a defensive change. Mike McCarthy hinted about the change during the practice week, then put his best defensive player, Clay Matthews at inside linebacker.
The Packers entered the game ranked 32nd and last in the NFL in run defense. Matthews moving to the middle allowed Def. Coord. Dom Capers to use some of his other top defenders on the outside and still shore up the middle. The Bears ended up rushing for 55 yards on 24 carries for a 2.3 yard average. Chicago rushed for 235 yards in the first game against the Packers in Chicago.
It was the first time this season that the Packers defense held a team under 100 yards rushing in a single game. Matthews led the way with 11 tackles, 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss. His previous high this season was five tackles.
Will the Packers continue to use Matthews in the middle? That remains to be seen, but it’s worth another look certainly.
AUDIO: Clay Matthews had some reservations on how he was going to play at ILB :19
AUDIO: Clay Matthews isn’t sure if he’ll become a fulltime ILB :19
Keeping Pace
The Packers improved to 6-3 with the win and stayed within 1-game of the Detroit Lions for first place in the NFC North. The Lions scored in the final minute yesterday to beat Miami and improve to 7-2.
The Packers still play three of their next four games at home, starting with a game against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at Lambeau Field.