Looking to topple the three-time defending NFC North champions Sunday, the Bears traded punches with the rival Packers for nearly a half before getting knocked to the canvas.
After Jay Cutler's 8-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery gave the Bears a 17-14 lead with 3:50 left in the first half, the Packers rolled up 24 unanswered points en route to a decisive 38-17 victory, their fifth straight over the Bears at Soldier Field.
"I certainly want to credit [coach] Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers for the game that they played today," said coach Marc Trestman. "They played a heck of a football game.
Week 4: Bears vs. Packers
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall warms up before an NFL football game between the Bears and Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler warms up before an NFL football game between the Bears and Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears players warm up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass during warmups before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) runs onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammates in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) tackles Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers safety Micah Hyde (33) tackles Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) is unable to make a reception in the end zone under pressure from Green Bay Packers safety Micah Hyde (33) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) scrambles away from Green Bay Packers defenders in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk, left, and safety Micah Hyde (33) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Marshall while under pressure from Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, right, talks to referee Terry McAulay in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (89) is stopped by Chicago Bears defenders in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) tackles Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) scrambles for a first down against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) slides as Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) tries to tackle him in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore, left, cornerback Sam Shields, and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, right, in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs between Chicago Bears linebacker D.J. Williams (58) and safety Chris Conte (47) after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) tries to avoid a tackle by Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs (55) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is stopped by Chicago Bears defenders in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) makes a touchdown reception against Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) runs after catching a pass thrown by quarterback Jay Cutler in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) runs to the end zone for a touchdown against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) celebrates with wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) after a touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. At right is Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50). (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) celebrates with receiver Brandon Marshall (15) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) makes a touchdown catch under pressure from Chicago Bears cornerback Isaiah Frey (31) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) celebrates with receiver Brandon Marshall (15) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes against the Green Bay Packers in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) makes a touchdown reception under pressure from Chicago Bears cornerback Isaiah Frey (31) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) chases Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) after Shields intercepted a pass in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Injured Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman talks to cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) runs after intercepting a pass thrown by Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) wipes his head in the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) pauses on the field after the Bears' 38-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) talks to quarterback Jay Cutler (6) on the sideline bench in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman greets Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after their NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greets Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) after their NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talks to Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after their NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Injured Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) laughs with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, in Chicago. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Aaron Rodgers, mariscal de los Packers de Green Bay, da indicaciones durante la primera mitad del partido del domingo 28 de septiembre de 2014, frente a los Bears de Chicago (AP Foto/Charles Rex Arbogast)
"This was certainly a disappointing loss for us and the guys in our locker room. It was a home game and a divisional opponent, and we certainly didn't do enough to get it done. The big thing will be to bounce back and get back to work tomorrow, and we intend to do that."
As usual, the Bears (2-2) had no answer for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers star quarterback completed 22 of 28 passes for 302 yards with four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 151.2 passer rating.
Rodgers has now won seven straight games he's started and finished against the Bears, throwing 19 touchdown passes and five interceptions in those contests. His 151.2 passer rating Sunday was the highest of his career in 14 starts versus the Bears and his second best overall.
The Packers (2-2) produced five touchdowns and one field goal on their first six possessions Sunday. The only Green Bay drive that didn't result in points came when Mason Crosby's 38-yard field goal attempt was deflected by Willie Young with 4:47 remaining in the fourth quarter.
"We felt it was a game that we had to score touchdowns, and we did, but we didn't score enough," Trestman said.
The Bears finally rediscovered their running game, outrushing the Packers 235-56 with Kyle Long gaining 122 yards on 23 carries.
Cutler performed well in the first half, completing 15 of 21 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 127.7 passer rating. But he was intercepted on the Bears' first two possessions of the second half, and the Packers converted both turnovers into touchdowns.
"I thought we were playing well," Cutler said. "We were moving the ball well. We were running the ball well. We were changing it up. I thought 'Tress' [Trestman] called a really good game. We just had some unfortunate things happen to us that kind of derailed us and they didn't."
Trailing 24-17, the Bears advanced to the Green Bay 24 early in the third quarter before Tramon Williams jumped a slant pass intended for Josh Morgan, deflecting the ball to Clay Matthews, who returned the interception 40 yards to the Chicago 35.
On the Bears' next possession, a miscommunication between Cutler and Brandon Marshall led to an interception by Sam Shields, who returned it 52 yards to the Chicago 11. Cutler threw an intermediate pass over the middle, but Marshall had taken off deep.
"Brandon was supposed to run a hook route deep at 18 yards and he turned it into a go route," Trestman said.
After Cutler's second interception, the Packers scored on their eighth straight possession against the Bears, dating back to their final two drives of last year's season finale.
The Bears moved the ball all day, compiling 496 total yards. They scored touchdowns on two of four first-half possessions on Cutler TD passes to Marshall and Jeffery. But they mustered only three points after reaching the 1-yard line on each of their other two first-half drives.
After a Packers penalty gave the Bears first-and-goal from the 1, Kyle Long was flagged for a false start and Cutler eventually threw slightly too high for Jeffery on third-and-goal from the 5. Robbie Gould followed with a 23-yard field goal that gave the Bears a brief 10-7 lead.
With :09 left in the first half and the Bears out of timeouts, Cutler rifled a pass on second-and-goal from the 9 over the middle to Martellus Bennett, who was stopped inches short of the goal line as time expired. The Bears failed to advance inside the Packers' 20 the rest of the game.
