A dominant first-half performance guided the Green Bay Packers to a commanding 55-14 victory over the Chicago Bears in their NFC North clash.
Aaron Rodgers led his side down the field on their first possession of the game, and the Packers put themselves ahead when the quarterback faked the handoff to Eddie Lacy and found Brandon Bostick for a one-yard touchdown.
The home side extended their advantage on their next series after Micah Hyde intercepted a pass from Jay Cutler. The pick set the Packers up inside the redzone, and Rodgers delivered a four-yard strike to his tight end Andrew Quarless.
At the start of the second quarter, Mike McCarthy's side took control of the game as the Bears' defense allowed Jordy Nelson in behind them on third down and Rodgers found him for a 73-yard touchdown.
The duo combined again as they took advantage of diabolical coverage in the secondary as the quarterback picked out the uncovered receiver in the endzone for the 40-yard strike.
Rodgers secured his fifth touchdown pass of the game on a simple screen pass to Lacy, who ran behind blockers down the right sideline, before changing direction and powering into the endzone for a 51-yard score.
The 30-year-old notched his sixth strike in the dying seconds of the first half with an incredible throw to Randall Cobb, who made an equally impressive catch to secure the touchdown.
In the second half, the Packers continued to move down the field with ease, but this time they settled for a field goal from the boot of Mason Crosby from 20 yards, while Rodgers was pulled from the game in the aftermath with the win all but sealed.
The Bears saved themselves the embarrassment of a shutout when Cutler found Brandon Marshall deep downfield and he did well to beat a tackle, and stretch out for the endzone.
Crosby added another field goal from 52 yards, before Casey Hayward inflicted more suffering on Cutler as he intercepted his pass and ran it back for an 82-yard return touchdown to break the 50-point mark.
Chris Williams returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to get some revenge for Marc Trestman's men, but the game well and truly belonged to the Packers, who moved to 6-3 in their season with the victory.
Simon Sinclair
