Packers spoil Bears' opener

Brett Favre threw three TD passes in the 38-23 win at new Soldier Field.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Brett Favre and Ahman Green were a lot more comfortable at new Soldier Field than the Chicago Bears.
The Bears hoped to make the opening a gala event, inviting many of their former players -- including Hall of Famer Dick Butkus -- to line the field as the current team charged out for introductions.
Favre and Green weren't intimidated, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 38-23 victory Monday night.
Favre threw for three touchdowns and Green ran for 176 yards and two scores, including an early 60-yard run that immediately quieted the crowd of 58,937.
Butkus, Favre meet
Before the game started, Favre chatted with Butkus.
"That's first time I'd ever met him. We were just kind of shooting the bull," Favre said.
"He was talking about the success we've had against them and he said, 'Take it easy on them. We've got a new stadium opening.' "
But the Packers (2-2) didn't.
They won for the 17th time in the last 19 meetings between the NFL's oldest rivals, building a 24-6 halftime lead against the Bears (0-3).
Favre improved his career record against the Bears to 19-4 and has directed 10 straight road wins against Chicago.
"I have no idea," Favre said of his success against the Bears. "But I'm not complaining. Even though we've had success here, I don't want you to think it's ever easy."
When the Bears got within eight points in the final quarter, Favre put it away with a pair of TD passes, a 9-yarder to Javon Walker and a 1-yarder to Bubba Franks.
"It's frustrating right now," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "We just embarrassed ourselves one more time."
Favre, who also connected with William Henderson on a 14-yard scoring pass in the first half, has 47 career TD passes against the Bears -- his most against any team.
Bears rally back
The Bears, booed in their new-look stadium that is part of a $606 million lakefront beautification project, appeared to get back in the game with 12:36 remaining when Anthony Thomas broke off a 67-yard TD run to make it 24-16.
But then the Packers responded, moving 64 yards in seven plays. Green's 32-yard run through the porous Chicago defense moved the ball to the 13. Minutes later, Favre rolled right and found Walker alone in the corner of the end zone.
Green Bay put it away with a seven-play, 54-yard drive capped when Franks made the TD catch to make it 38-16.
"It's a very disappointing night on a very electric night to start off," Chicago coach Dick Jauron said.
Bears quarterback Kordell Stewart, who was sacked five times, scored on a 1-yard run with 1:28 remaining. By that time, most of the fans had left.
Green, who has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his career against the Bears, wasted little time attacking them. Three minutes into the game, he took a handoff, headed left, juked defensive back Jerry Azumah and raced from his 40 for a score.
"A lot of guys expect me to lower my shoulder, so once in a while, I have to try and make a move and use my speed," Green said. "That's what happened there."