The Green Bay Packers dominated the Chicago Bears in last night’s Sunday Night Football game 55-14. The margin of victory wasn’t the only thing worth celebrating at Lambeau Field. As it turns out, Aaron Rodgers tied an NFL record with his six TD passes in the first half.
While the Packers raced out 42-0 halftime margin, it was Rodgers orchestrating the whole thing. The Packers’ All-Pro quarterback found Jordy Nelson for two TD passes, plus one TD pass to four separate receivers: Brandon Bostick, Randall Cobb, Eddie Lacy and Andrew Quarless.
Not in 45 years had an NFL quarterback thrown for six TD passes in a half. The last time that happened was Oct. 19, 1969, when Oakland Raiders QB Daryle Lamonica tossed six against the Buffalo Bills.
While Aaron Rodgers tied an NFL record for single-half TD passes yesterday, he also tied Green Bay’s franchise record for total touchdowns in a game. And he did it in two quarters. Rodgers had previously thrown six TDs in a game, an Oct. 14, 2012, game against the Houston Texans.
The 42 points Rodgers and the Packers hung on Chicago was also the most points allowed by the Bears in a single half.
Rodgers took a seat halfway through the third quarter with the game well in hand. Although Chicago scored to make it 45-7, Rodgers headed for the sidelines for good with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn entered the game but only completed one of five passes for four yards.
Flynn’s performance in Sunday’s game was a far cry from the 2011 regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. The backup QB threw six touchdowns in that game, giving him and Rodgers shared ownership of the Packers’ record for TDs in a game. Rodgers has now thrown six TDs in a game twice.