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Rodgers, Cobb connect in waning moments

Green Bay’s Randall Cobb dives into the end zone ahead of the Bears’ Zack Bowman with the game-winning TD catch . . .Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press
Packers 33
Bears 28

CHICAGO — Aaron Rodgers is back leading the Green Bay Packers and that could be bad news for every other playoff team.

He returned from a broken collarbone and is taking aim at a postseason run, even if it took one big pass to get there.

Rodgers fired a 48-yard touchdown to Randall Cobb in the final minute, and the Packers beat the Chicago Bears, 33-28, to capture the NFC North championship on Sunday.

''This is a special group of guys who've been through a lot,'' Rodgers said. ''It's been a roller coaster.''

Back after missing seven games with a broken left collarbone, Rodgers found a wide-open Cobb on fourth and 8 to wipe out a 1-point deficit with 38 seconds left.

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. . . sending Packers QB Aaron Rodgers off the field a happy man in his first game back since breaking his collarbone.Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press/Associated Press

Green Bay will host San Francisco next weekend in the wild-card round.

The Bears had one final drive, but Jay Cutler's deep pass to Alshon Jeffery was intercepted by Sam Shields on the final play.

That gave the Packers (8-7-1) their third straight division title and fifth postseason appearance in a row. It also kept the Bears (8-8) out of the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.

Things weren't looking great for the Packers after Chicago's Brandon Marshall spun away from Tramon Williams and into the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter to put the Bears on top, 28-20.

But Eddie Lacy ran in from the 6 for the Packers, making it a 1-point game.

Then, on the winning drive, Green Bay converted twice on fourth and 1 before Rodgers eluded pressure and unleashed the winning pass to Cobb.

A block by John Kuhn on Julius Peppers helped Rodgers roll to the edge and find Cobb by himself down the field.

''We had a blitz on,'' Bears coach Marc Trestman said. ''We lost an edge. Aaron was able to get outside. Once he got outside things happen. When you've got a zero blitz on things can happen. And we just lost coverage with our eyes in the backfield.''

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For Rodgers, it was a strong finish after a shaky start, and it gave him some payback against the team that nearly ended his season. He was intercepted on the Packers' first two possessions but threw for 318 yards and two TDs in his first appearance since he was injured in a loss to Chicago Nov. 4.

Cobb, in his first appearance since Oct. 13, caught just two passes but both were for touchdowns.

''To be in that moment at the end of the game and have that opportunity, it's a blessing,'' Cobb said.

Jordy Nelson had 161 yards receiving. James Starks ran for 88 yards. Lacy aggravated his ankle injury in the third quarter and finished with just 66 yards.

For the Bears, their first season under Trestman ended the same way five of the previous six did under Lovie Smith — on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

This loss is sure to fuel more questions about Cutler's ability to win big games even though he played well. Cutler threw for 226 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He is now 1-9 against Green Bay, including a loss in the NFC title game in the 2010 season.

Marshall guaranteed Cutler will be back next season, and Cutler said he'd like to return.

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''You'd love to,'' Cutler said. ''You can't predict the future, though. I'm not really going to get into what's going to happen. It always works out how it's supposed to.''

An unusual play late in the first half turned a 7-3 deficit into a 10-7 advantage for the Packers.

Green Bay had a first down at the Chicago 17 when a sack and strip against Rodgers by Peppers turned into a wild touchdown. Jarrett Boykin ran across the field and picked up the loose ball as play stopped. One thing, though: The whistle never blew.

With Rodgers standing nearby, Boykin turned and headed 15 yards to the end zone, and after a replay review, it stood.