Ignoring recent trends has been the message from Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith this past week, but reality arrived at Soldier Field on Sunday in the green-and-gold uniforms of the Green Bay Packers.
James Jones caught his third touchdown pass of the game from Aaron Rodgers, a six-yard toss to cap a 13-play, 79-yard opening drive of the third quarter to put the Packers up 21-7 with 8:08 left in the period. The score was set up by an interference call on Chris Conte in the end zone against Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley. Jones beat Charles Tillman on the play.
In a hard-fought first half, the Packers took a 14-7 lead on Rodgers' 8-yard TD pass to Jones with 28 seconds to go before intermission. The score was set up by an interception by Casey Hayward and his 24-yard return. Jay Cutler's pass was intended for Devin Hester but wound up directly in the midsection of Hayward.
Green Bay tied the game 7-7 with 4:19 left before halftime on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jones, who beat Kelvin Hayden. The scoring drive covered 89 yards.
Brandon Marshall, who expressed his distaste for the Packers during the week, got the Bears on the scoreboard first on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cutler with 8:03 to play before halftime. It capped a six-play, 67-yard drive and put the Bears up 7-0.
The Packers' Mason Crosby missed a 43-yard field goal attempt wide right with 11:22 left in the second period. The first quarter was dominated by the defenses.
Cutler was 6-of-9 for 58 yards in the first half. Four of his completions went to Marshall, who had 34 yards and a TD. Matt Forte carried 13 times for 58 yards.
It was difficult to forget that the Bears had lost five straight to their NFC North rivals. Entering with an 8-5 record, the Bears also had lost four of their last five after an auspicious 7-1 start.
Injuries could not be an excuse for the Bears, as the Packers had significant losses to injuries, as well.
Inactives for the Bears were Josh McCown, Tim Jennings, Geno Hayes, Henry Melton, Earl Bennett, Shea McClellin and Urlacher.
Green Bay inactives: Charles Woodson, James Starks, Terrell Manning, Donald Driver, D.J. Williams, Jordy Nelson and C.J. Wilson.
Rodgers came in with an 8-2 record against the Bears as a starter, with a passer rating of 96.8.
The Packers entered the game having won 11 straight division games.
fmitchell@tribune.com
Twitter@kicker34
3rd quarter: Packers 14, Bears 7
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3rd quarter: Packers 14, Bears 7
