By Justin Worsley,
Sam Shields picked off a pass by Chicago Bears third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie with :37 seconds left to help the Green Bay Packers beat their division rival 21-14 and advance to the Super Bowl.
Hanie entered the game in the third quarter after both Jay Cutler and Todd Collins left the game with injuries.
Green Bay made a statement in their opening drive with passes of 22, 26 and 22 yards by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The drive ended with Rodgers running a naked bootleg to the left side of the field to the end zone.
The Packers doubled their lead in the second quarter when James Starks pounded the ball four yards for his first career touchdown.
Chicago's offense was only able to convert one third down on 13 attempts. Brad Maynard also punted nine times, nearly twice as much as he did last week against Seattle.
The Bears, however, would not bow out of this contest easily. Chicago scored on their first possession with Hanie at quarterback early in the fourth quarter off a two-yard run by Chester Taylor to bring the game within one score.
Two drives later, however, Hanie threw an interception to nosetackle B.J. Raji, who ran it back 18 yards for a touchdown.
Chicago struck back quickly. Hanie found a wide open Earl Bennett for a 35-yard touchdown on a drive that only lasted 1:21.
After a three-and-out by Green Bay, Chicago found themselves with the ball on their own 29 with 2:53 left in the game. The Bears drove up to the Packer's 29 yard line until Hanie threw a pass intended for Johnny Knox into the arms of Shields to end the game.
Green Bay will play the winner of the Jets-Steelers game tonight in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6 in Dallas.
NOTE: Packers tackle Chad Clifton was injured on the opening drive and did not return.
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