GREEN BAY, Wis. — On a night when defenses dominated the NFL’s most storied rivalry, the Packers got creative — and it worked.
Punter Tim Masthay and backup tight end Tom Crabtree combined for a touchdown on a fake field goal in the second quarter, and the Green Bay Packers rattled and robbed Jay Cutler in a 23-10 victory over the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Thursday.
Cutler threw four interceptions, including a pair to Tramon Williams. Facing a fierce Packers pass rush all night, Cutler was sacked seven times, including 3½ for Clay Matthews. New Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall was held to two catches for 24 yards.
“Clay was incredible," Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “Defense causing turnovers, if they play like that we’re going to be tough to beat."
The Bears also lost running back Matt Forte to an ankle injury.
The Packers rebounded from a season-opening loss to San Francisco.
“We got kicked in the (rear end) four days ago," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “And we were motivated."
After Williams collected his second interception, Rodgers finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, hitting Donald Driver for a 26-yard touchdown and a 23-3 lead.
But Rodgers threw an interception to Tim Jennings and the Bears finally cashed in. Facing fourth-and-7 at the Green Bay 21, Cutler threw a touchdown to Kellen Davis, cutting the lead to 23-10 with 6:49 remaining. But the Bears couldn’t mount a comeback in the final minutes.
