The differences between the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears — now owners of a five-game losing streak — were crystal clear on national television Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
On one side, Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw two interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in his second turn as the starter.
On the other side, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, including three in the first half, to drive a 41-25 victory over the Bears.
The Bears (5-6) never led and were behind 27-3 in the second quarter before Trubisky hit Allen Robinson just before halftime for the first of two touchdown connections between the pair.
Bears coach Matt Nagy named Trubisky the starter this week as Nick Foles recovers from a hip injury he suffered in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings. It was Trubisky's first start since he was benched in favor of Foles in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, and there were several shaky moments.
Trubisky threw a pair of interceptions to Packers safety Darnell Savage, one of which was a pass to Anthony Miller in triple coverage while Robinson was open in the third quarter. Trubisky also lost a fumble that Packers linebacker Preston Smith returned 14 yards for a touchdown, though officials appeared to miss a Packers face-mask penalty on the fumble.
Perhaps more shocking than Trubisky's rough return less than a month after a right shoulder injury were the shortcomings of the Bears defense.
Playing without defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who has a hamstring injury, the Bears forced the Packers (8-3) to punt just twice. The Packers led the Bears in time of possession by more than 15 minutes.
Rodgers, who is having a stellar season even by his standards, made it look easy on touchdown passes to Davante Adams, Marcedes Lewis, Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan. Jamaal Williams also scored on a 13-yard run.
After announcing Trubisky as the starter Friday, Nagy wouldn't provide an answer as to which quarterback would start beyond Sunday. So it remains to be seen whether Trubisky's mistakes might sway Nagy back to Foles.
Trubisky completed 26 of 46 passes for 242 yards with three touchdown passes and the two interceptions.
Bears running back David Montgomery was one highlight in his return from a concussion. Behind a shuffled offensive line, he rushed for 103 yards, just the third 100-yard rushing game of his two-year career. He also caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Trubisky.
