Aaron Rodgers Leads Packers to Epic Comeback Win Over Bears

At halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears season opener on September 9th, it looked like the Packers’ season was over, only 1/32 of the way through it. The Bears were up 20-0 and had dominated, but the worst part was a knee injury to QB Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers missed half of last season with a broken collarbone, and Green Bay failed to make the playoffs. Backup QB DeShone Kiser, despite having started for the Cleveland Browns last year, looked completely overwhelmed in relief of Rodgers, fumbling once and throwing an interception that new Bear Khalil Mack returned 27 yards for a touchdown. Rodgers was taken off the field on a cart, usually a sign that the injury is game ending for the player, and often times season ending.

But Rodgers came out for the second half, and despite being hobbled by a bad left leg, played one of the most exciting games of his career and in the history of the Green Bay Packers, who are playing in their 100th season. With help from the Packers’ offensive linemen, who provided better protection in the second half, and a defense that got the job done, Rodgers led the Packers to 24 second half points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, while the Bears could only manage six. Rodgers fired a 75 yard touchdown catch and run to Randall Cobb with 2:13 left in the game, and Packers’ linebacker Nick Perry sacked Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky with 58 seconds left to seal it for Green Bay. Down by 17 entering the fourth quarter, Green Bay set a franchise record for largest fourth quarter comeback in this 24-23 victory. The fact that this comeback was in a nationally televised game, and against an ancient rival (the two teams have been playing each other since 1921) made it even more memorable.

With the bad knee, Rodgers’ status for the Packers next game against Minnesota on September 16th will probably be a game time decision. Rodgers himself has said he’s playing. Unless he can’t walk, how can you keep him out?