Relax.
That was the simple advice Aaron Rodgers offered last week to impatient Packers fans who watched their team drop two of its first three games.
Rodgers followed his own suggestion Sunday while methodically dismantling the Bears 38-17 by completing 22 of 28 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. His passer rating was a remarkable 151.2.
“I just know it’s a long season, so I know there are going to be many freak-outs along the way,” Rodgers said of his calming advice. “Just got to stick together, stay the course. Mike (coach McCarthy) talked about trusting the process this week. I just wanted to remind everybody that it’s a long season and at some point we are going to get this thing figured out.”
In only the second game in NFL history with no punts, Rodgers avoided any turnovers.
He made quick work of the Bears defense by exploiting their weaknesses.
“At one point we had 44 plays and 38 points,” Rodgers said. “That’s pretty efficient. Obviously we would like to play as fast as possible, but when you’re being very efficient with your yards-per-play and points-per-play ... that’s how we want to play.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers’ Bears counterpart, Jay Cutler, threw two crucial interceptions in the second half.
“That’s the key of this, just being patient, being where you are supposed to be, making plays,” said Packers cornerback Sam Shields, who picked off one of Cutler’s passes.
Rodgers said the Packers had added motivation to play well because of their new teammate on defense, former Bear Julius Peppers.
Asked if Peppers had expressed to him how much Sunday’s game meant to him, Rodgers replied:
“He did with his body language. But if you know Peppers, he is not a big talker. I think we all knew it meant something to him to come back (to Chicago). I think we all wanted to put a good effort forward.”
Peppers tried to downplay any deep-rooted revenge factor regarding the Bears.
“It was a good thing to get a win. Regardless of who the team is, we needed the win,” Peppers said.
Rodgers completed 10 of his passes to Jordy Nelson for two touchdowns, and seven passes to Randall Cobb for a pair of scores.
“I made a play early, and Aaron continued to trust me and come to me,” Cobb said.
“Randall and Jordy and even Richard (Rodgers) on the second play of offense (a 43-yard reception) just had a good feel for getting open,” McCarthy said. “Scrambles and extended plays are always a primary focus of ours, and I think that was part of Randall’s production.”
Nelson’s 11-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter broke the game open, 31-17.
“We are a rhythm offense,” Nelson said. “We do well in games when we get first downs and get the drive moving.”
Rodgers was able to take his time most of the game to find wide-open receivers.
“The protection was great. I barely got touched most of the day, which will be nice with a short week coming up,” said Rodgers, who will lead his team against the Vikings on Thursday night. “We had a lot of confidence going in and knew we had to execute it.”
Green Bay 38 Chicago 17
Green Bay 7 14 10 7- 38
Chicago 7 10 0 0- 17
First Quarter
CHI-B.Marshall 6 yard pass from Cutler (Gould kick), 6:30.
GB-Lacy 2 yard rush (Crosby kick), 4:08.
Second Quarter
CHI-Gould 23 yard field goal, 13:58.
GB-J.Nelson 3 yard pass from A.Rodgers (Crosby kick), 10:11.
CHI-Jeffery 8 yard pass from Cutler (Gould kick), 3:50.
GB-Cobb 22 yard pass from A.Rodgers (Crosby kick), 1:03.
Third Quarter
GB-Crosby 53 yard field goal, 10:57.
GB-J.Nelson 11 yard pass from A.Rodgers (Crosby kick), 4:28.
Fourth Quarter
GB-Cobb 3 yard pass from A.Rodgers (Crosby kick), 14:52.
A-61,736.
ADVERTISEMENT
TEAM STATISTICS
GB CHI
First Downs 21 33
Total Net Yards 358 496
Rushes-Yds 18-56 41-235
Passing 302 261
Sacked-Yds Lost 1-0 1-4
Comp-Att-Int 22-28-0 23-35-2
Punts 0-0.0 0-0.0
Punt Returns 0-0 0-0
Kickoff Returns 3-67 2-43
Interceptions Ret. 2-102 0-0
Penalties-Yards 9-70 6-46
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 3-0
Time of Possession 23:38 36:22
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING- GB, Lacy 17-48, A.Rodgers 1-8. CHI, Forte 23-122, K.Carey 14-72, Cutler 3-29, Jeffery 1-12.
PASSING- GB, A.Rodgers 22-28-0-302. CHI, Cutler 22-34-2-256, Clausen 1-1-0-9.
RECEIVING- GB, J.Nelson 10-108, Cobb 7-113, R.Rodgers 2-52, D.Adams 2-18, Lacy 1-11. CHI, Ma.Bennett 9-134, Forte 5-49, Jeffery 4-39, Jh.Morgan 3-24, B.Marshall 2-19.
MISSED FIELD GOALS- GB, Crosby 1. CHI, None
