Packers sink Bears to seal top seeding

The Green Bay Packers ended the NFL playoff hopes of the Chicago Bears on Sunday, strolling to a 35-21 win at Lambeau Field.

In doing so, Green Bay, who had already wrapped up the National Football Conference North divisional title, secured the number one seeding – and home-field advantage – in the NFC.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in supreme form, throwing the first five-touchdown game of his career, and completing 21 of 29 passes for 283 yards.

The Bears, who came into the game on the back of four successive losses, trailed 14-3 at half-time but a touchdown from offensive lineman Edwin Williams trimmed the deficit to 14-10 before the Packers machine clicked into gear.

Rodgers came up with the reply soon after, with a 55-yard pass to Jordy Nelson for a touchdown.

On the Packers’ next possession Rodgers beat Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs before finishing with a seven-yard touchdown pass to James Jones, who put his side up 28-10 to break the Bears’ resistance.

A late touchdown from Kellen Davis and a field goal from Robbie Gould added some respectability to the scoreline, but the Packers always looked to have the game in control.

The win was Green Bay’s fourth over Chicago in 12 months, with a win in the final game of the last regular season on January 2 followed by victory in the NFC Championship game on January 23 and their triumph at Soldier Field on September 25.

Green Bay have a 14-1 record ahead of their final game of the regular season against the Detroit Lions next Sunday, while the Bears slumped to 7-8.

The result also ensured the Atlanta Falcons, second in the NFC South, are guaranteed a place in the playoffs.