Green Bay Packers' Jermichael Finley (88) catches a touchdown pass in front of Chicago Bears' Nick Roach (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Jermichael Finley (88) catches a touchdown pass in front of Chicago Bears' Nick Roach (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Jermichael Finley (88) is hit by Chicago Bears' Nick Roach (53) and Major Wright (27) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Ryan Schaffer, left, and Dan Freese have some fun outside Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) ? Aaron Rodgers threw touchdown passes to Jermichael Finley and James Jones, Clay Matthews made a critical interception to stop a drive, and the Green Bay Packers led the rival Chicago Bears 14-3 at halftime on Sunday night.
Chicago was able to stay in the game for most of the first half with solid defense and tough running by third-string running back Kahlil Bell, who had 89 yards on 14 carries. But Rodgers finished off a late drive with a 2-yard touchdown toss to Jones with 16 seconds left in the half.
Rodgers needed nine plays to drive the Packers 80 yards on their first possession, including a 32-yard gain on a screen pass to Ryan Grant.
Finley had three touchdown catches in the Packers' 27-17 victory at Chicago on Sept. 25, but was coming off a rough outing in Green Bay's loss at Kansas City a week ago.
Playing with a patchwork offensive line because of injuries, the Packers used their no-huddle offense and bootlegs by Rodgers to keep the Bears' pass rush off balance early.
The Bears responded with a run-heavy drive featuring Bell, who started with Matt Forte and Marion Barber out injured. Chicago drove into Green Bay territory, but then committed back-to-back penalties. Robbie Gould missed a 49-yard field goal wide right.
The Packers' offense slowed down from there, and some more hard runs by Bell had the Bears threatening to score again early in the second quarter. Matthews picked Josh McCown's pass out of the air for an interception on a second-and-5 play at the Green Bay 22, ending the drive.
Chicago then put together another drive behind the running of Bell and Armando Allen, and Gould hit a 35-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 with 1:56 left in the half.
The Packers then shook off their offensive struggles in the two-minute drill as Rodgers threw a 32-yard pass to Jones, a 17-yard pass to Jordy Nelson and an 11-yard pass to set up the short touchdown to Jones.
Green Bay came into Sunday night's game playing for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Packers can clinch home-field advantage by beating Chicago on Sunday night or by beating Detroit in next Sunday's regular season finale at Lambeau Field, or if San Francisco loses at St. Louis next week.
The Packers were without three of their top four tackles on the offensive line.
Chad Clifton returned to practice this week after sitting out since October because of hamstring and back injuries, but isn't ready to play. Bryan Bulaga was inactive Sunday because of a left knee sprain, and backup Derek Sherrod is out for the season with a broken right leg.
Green Bay also was missing wide receiver Greg Jennings, because of a sprained left knee, and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett because of a concussion.
The Bears have lost four straight games since losing quarterback Jay Cutler to a broken right thumb in a Nov. 20 victory over San Diego. Chicago was 7-3 after that win, but came into Sunday's game barely hanging onto a chance to make the playoffs.
Chicago would be eliminated with a loss Sunday night.
The Bears started McCown on Sunday after backup Caleb Hanie struggled to fill in for Cutler. McCown's most recent start came with the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 23, 2007. He was completely out of the NFL last season.
To make matters worse for the Bears' offense, Barber was inactive because of a calf injury and was listed as doubtful going into the game. Chicago already was without Forte, who missed his third straight game because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
Chicago did have Devin Hester, who was active despite an ankle injury.
The Packers were trying for their fourth win over the Bears in 2011. Green Bay beat Chicago in the 2010 regular-season finale, the NFC Championship game, and at Soldier Field on Sept. 25.
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