Rodgers does it again

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Rodgers' knee hurt. His arm was just fine.

The hobbling two-time NFL MVP threw three touchdown passes in the second half after returning from a left knee injury, and the Green Bay Packers began their season by overcoming a 20-point deficit for a thrilling 24-23 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.

Rodgers, who was carted off in the first half, connected with receiver Randall Cobb for a catch-and-run through the secondary for a 75-yard touchdown and the go-ahead score with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left in the game.

"Aaron Rodgers was remarkable. I just can't tell you how proud I am with him," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

Nick Perry sacked the Bears' Mitchell Trubisky on fourth-and-10 with 58 seconds left to complete the comeback.

A Chicago defense featuring newly acquired star linebacker Khalil Mack dominated until the third quarter. Mack had a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown against backup quarterback DeShone Kizer in the second quarter.

A gimpy Rodgers returned in the second half and finally figured out the Bears. He also found Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison for touchdown passes.

The Packers plan to run more tests Monday, though Rodgers seems to think his availability for next week's game against the Vikings is a foregone conclusion. "I'm planning on playing," he said.

Add this game to Rodgers' already lengthy career highlight reel. He finished 20-for-30 for 286 yards.

It was Rodgers' first regular-season home game since Sept. 28 vs. the Bears. He was limited to seven games in 2017 because of a collarbone injury suffered at Minnesota.

Mack nearly stole the show. He also stripped the ball for a turnover in the red zone off Kizer in the second quarter. Mack made an immediate impact in his first game since the Bears acquired the premier pass rusher in a blockbuster deal with the Oakland Raiders.

The Bears led 20-0 at one point, and their defense dominated until the second half.

"We talked about finishing, and we didn't do that," Matt Nagy said after a stunning loss in his debut as Bears coach.