Packers secure playing at home

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis.

Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdown passes, Clay Matthews made a critical interception to stop a drive, and the Green Bay Packers secured home-field advantage for the NFC Playoffs with a 38-21 victory over the Chicago Bears.

With the Packers nursing a four-point lead, and the Lambeau Field crowd nervously quiet early in the third quarter, Rodgers found Jordy Nelson for a 55-yard touchdown pass to give the Packers a 21-10 lead.

Chicago’s losing streak was extended to five games. But the Bears were able to stay in the game with solid defense and tough running by third-string running back Kahlil Bell, who had 89 yards on 14 carries in the first half.

With the Bears trailing 14-3 at halftime, quarterback Josh McCown found Earl Bennett wide open for a 49-yard gain to set up first-and-goal on the 1.

Bell fumbled just short of the goal line on the next play but offensive lineman Edwin Williams recovered the ball for a touchdown, and the Bears cut the lead to 14-10.

Rodgers answered by dropping deep and throwing a rainbow pass to Nelson, who blew past Bears safety Major Wright and hauled in the ball for the long touchdown.

Rodgers then showed his running ability on the Packers’ next possession, juking his way between Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on a scramble.

Rodgers finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown to James Jones, giving the Packers a commanding 28-10 lead.

Packers safety Charlie Peprah came up with an interception, and the Packers were driving again at the end of the third quarter.

Rodgers started the game quickly, driving the Packers 80 yards on their first possession and finishing with a 2-yard touchdown to Jermichael Finley.

Finley had three touchdown catches in the Packers’ 27-17 victory at Chicago on Sept. 25, but was coming off a rough outing in Green Bay’s loss at Kansas City a week ago.

Playing with a patchwork offensive line because of injuries, the Packers used their no-huddle offense.