Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers set a franchise record with 39 completed passes, leading the Packers to a 26-10 win against Chicago on Thursday.
Rodgers finished 39 of 56 pass attempts, for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
“It means we threw it a lot,” Rodgers said of the record. “But a lot of times records like these are achieved in losses when you’re way behind.”
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The Packers (4-2) moved effectively on short gains most of the night, but could not break into the end zone until Davante Adams caught the first of his two touchdown receptions with 9 minutes, 11 seconds 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 the fourth quarter for a 10-point lead.
The Bears (1-6) 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 offense that was already 31st in the league in scoring got worse. Barkley was 6-of-15 for 81 yards and two interceptions.
“When you lose your starting quarterback it can be disruptive,” Bears coach John Fox said. “It’s not an excuse, it’s just a reality.”
He tried to rely on the rush against the NFL’s third-best run defense. It did not 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.
That 37th completion for Rodgers was a two-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb in the fourth quarter for a 16-point lead.
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