Friday 29 September 2017 08:34, UK
Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, converting three turnovers into scores, as the Green Bay Packers beat NFC North divisional rivals Chicago Bears 35-14 on a stormy Thursday night in Wisconsin.
Rodgers connected with Davante Adams and Randall Cobb on short touchdown passes, while rookie runner Aaron Jones also ran in for a two-yard score, to help Green Bay build a 21-0 lead in the second quarter of a game delayed 45 minutes between the first two quarters because of lightning.
The Packers players released a statement this week saying they would intertwine arms before the game as a show of unity. They asked fans to join in the stands and at home, though it didn't appear that many did.
Many fans at Lambeau Field cheered and chanted "USA! USA!" while a large American flag was unfurled at midfield before the anthem.
When the game got underway, Green Bay started in explosive fashion, producing a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive rounded off with Rodgers' five-yard TD to Adams.
The Packers also capitalised on an awful start by Bears quarterback Mike Glennon, who accounted for four turnovers, including one on Chicago's very first offensive play, fumbling after a big hit by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews - the 75th of his career, to break the Packers franchise record.
Rodgers then hit Cobb for an easy touchdown to make it 14-0 six minutes into the game, and would add two further TDs to his tally in the second half, connecting with Jordy Nelson twice in the endzone.
The Packers versus the Bears is the oldest rivalry in American Football, dating to 1923, and the all-time series was tied at 94-94-6 before Thursday's game - Green Bay's win sees them lead the series for the first time since 1933.
The Packers' night was slightly soured, however, with the loss of two key players to injuries - Adams left the field on a stretcher after getting hit in the head during a tackle by Danny Trevathan in the third quarter and running back Ty Montgomery departed in the first quarter with a chest injury.
