The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears have a storied rivalry. On Sunday night, it became a horror story … for the Bears.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tied an NFL record by throwing six touchdown passes in the first half and the Bears absorbed a 55-14 beating that was shocking in its thoroughness. The Bears – let’s call them the Monstrosity of the Midway – have allowed 106 points in their last two games.

Also in the NFL: The New York Jets beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13 to end an eight-game losing streak. The Steelers’ loss put the Cleveland Browns in first place in the AFC North … alone. They’d not occupied the top spot in the division by themselves since 1995. … The Arizona Cardinals topped the St. Louis Rams 31-14 to improve to an NFL-best 8-1 but lost quarterback Carson Palmer (knee) for the season. … The San Francisco 49ers’ 27-24 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints ended the Saints’ home winning streak at 11.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Texas A&M’s 41-38 upset of Auburn shook up the AP Top 25. The Tigers dropped to ninth from third. Mississippi State and Florida State remain 1-2 while Oregon is now No. 3. Alabama is No. 4. Alabama hosts Mississippi State on Saturday.

BOXING

Bernard Hopkins lost his light heavyweight title to Sergey Kovalev on a unanimous decision Saturday night in Atlantic City. Hopkins, who is considering retirement, will be 50 in two months. Kovalev knocked Hopkins down in the first round and didn’t lose a single round on the judges’ score cards.

BASEBALL

This is awards week in baseball, beginning on Monday with the announcement of the Rookie of the Year awards. Managers, the Cy Young Award winners and MVPs will be revealed through the week.

Today’s Question

Who do you like in Monday night’s NFL matchup of the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers?

Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .