Rodgers Finds Jennings for Late Score as Packers Win

Packers 21, Bears 15

GREEN BAY, Wis., Sept. 13 -- Aaron Rodgers brought the Packers back late in the fourth quarter, heaving a 50-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings with 1 minute 11 seconds remaining to give Green Bay a 21-15 victory over the Chicago Bears in the season opener on Sunday night.

Facing third and one at the 50-yard line, Rodgers faked play action and heaved a rainbow of a throw deep to Jennings, who ran in for the go-ahead score. Rodgers found Jennings again for a two-point conversion.

Rodgers finished 17 of 28 for 184 yards for the Packers, and his big throw ruined the debut of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who had a career-worst four interceptions.

The Bears lost a big game to their division rivals and lost several key players to injuries. Brian Urlacher left with a wrist injury in the third quarter after fellow linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa left in the first half with an injured knee. Backup cornerback Trumaine McBride also injured a knee, and tight end Desmond Clark left with a back injury.

After throwing three interceptions in the first half, Cutler settled down to lead Chicago to a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter, giving the Bears a 12-10 lead.

But Chicago's head-scratching fake punt attempt early in the fourth quarter gave the ball back to Packers deep in Bears territory, and Mason Crosby hit a 39-yard field goal to give Green Bay a 13-12 lead with 10:10 left.

Cutler answered with a drive for a 21-yard field goal by Robbie Gould to give Chicago a 15-13 lead. Rodgers got the ball back at the Green Bay 28 with 2:28 left and quickly drove the Packers to midfield, where he made the decisive throw to Jennings.

Rodgers generally had a successful first season as a starter last year, but was criticized by some fans for not coming through in some key late-game situations -- although the Packers often were put in bad positions by an inept defense.

That wasn't a problem Sunday night as Green Bay got steady pass rush pressure out of its revamped 3-4 alignment under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers, forcing Cutler to scramble out of trouble all night. Cutler made plenty of trouble for himself from there, making poor decisions under pressure.