Green Bay Packers fans went from gasping at the thought of losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers for another season to celebrating a Rodgers-inspired record rally Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
The Packers overcame a franchise-record, 17-point fourth-quarter deficit after Rodgers returned from being carted off the field with a knee injury to revive the offense and guide Green Bay to a 24-23 win over the Chicago Bears in both teams' season opener.
Rodgers, who briefly left the game due to a leg injury, finished 20-for-30 for 286 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
The Packers pumped life back into Lambeau Field on a 75-yard touchdown from Rodgers to Randall Cobb with 2:13 left to complete a rally and push Green Bay ahead 24-23.
The Bears led 20-0 early in the third quarter.
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Green Bay's defense tightened in the second half and closed out the Bears' final drive when Nick Perry drilled Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with 58 ticks left.
After Rodgers found Davante Adams for a 12-yard score to trim the deficit to 20-17 midway through the fourth quarter, the Bears marched downfield to add a Cody Parkey field goal with 2:39 to play.
Rodgers left the game in the second quarter, unable to put his body weight on his left leg. He went down on a quarterback sack and was replaced by DeShone Kizer.
Kizer was stripped of the ball on his opening drive by linebacker Khalil Mack. Mack scored on a 27-yard interception return, and Chicago led 17-0.
But Rodgers, who left the sideline on a motorized cart, was back on the field for Green Bay's opening drive in the second half.
He found Geronimo Allison streaking down the right sideline for a 39-yard touchdown to pull the Packers within 20-10.
Cobb caught nine passes for 142 yards.
Trubisky completed 23 of 35 passes for 171 yards. Bears running back Jordan Howard gained 82 yards on 15 carries.
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