Packers secure Super Bowl berth

The Green Bay Packers today beat the Chicago Bears 21-14 to win the NFC title and secure a Super Bowl place.

They led 14-0 after dominating the first half and a belated Bears fightback failed to pay dividends as the visitors reached the fifth Super Bowl in their history.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ended a flawless first drive by looping round from the one-yard line for a rushing touchdown and James Starks’ four-yard run doubled the lead early in the second.

Chicago were unable to get their offense moving in the first half – they made just six first downs and their longest drive ended at 35 yards – and were lucky to trail only 14-0.

Their task was further complicated as quarterback Jay Cutler re-emerged limping due to a knee injury.

Defensive talisman Brian Urlacher tried to spark the Bears into life as he intercepted Rodgers on third-and-goal and looked set to return the pick for a touchdown until Rodgers partially redeemed himself by making the tackle.

Todd Collins came out in Cutler’s place but was replaced by third-string Caleb Hanie before the end of the third quarter.

And the third-year pro made an impact, sending Johnny Knox inside the one-yard line with a 32-yard play before handing off to Chester Taylor to pound the ball home and cut the deficit to seven.

But Hanie was picked off by the hulking BJ “The Freezer” Raji, who converted the first interception of his career into his first touchdown.

Chicago were not finished, though, and Hanie hit Earl Bennett for a 35-yard touchdown at the end of a quickfire 81-second drive.

But Sam Shields’ second interception of the game ended the comeback and ensured the George Halas trophy and a trip to Arlington for Green Bay.