Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson scores a touchdown on a 73-yard reception against the Bears — one of several big plays in the passing game. Credit: Mark Hoffman

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Green Bay — Mike McCarthy's offense hasn't expanded the reaches of its passing game to the extent his record-setting 2011 unit did, but a few more games like the one Sunday night against the Chicago Bears and it will be mighty close.

The 2014 Packers have rediscovered the long ball and they are stretching the field in ways that didn't seem possible early in the season.

Since averaging just 6.8 yards per attempt after Week 3, the Packers have ballooned to 8.4, good for No. 2 in the NFL behind Washington's 8.6. In just the last three games, the Packers have completed 12 passing plays of 25 or more yards, including five plays of more than 50 yards.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was at it again Sunday night, averaging 11.67 yards per attempt thanks in part to completions of 73, 56 and 40 yards. Two of those throws were down-the-field shots that Rodgers seems to be connecting on more and more.

"There's not a target on the field that he can't hit," McCarthy said after the game. "He has the ability to throw it as deep as he needs to. He has a big-time arm and more importantly, he has the athletic ability to get in space and make those throws."

The Packers are approaching their 2011 mark of 9.3 yards per attempt, which is the highest since the St. Louis Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf," which posted a 9.4 in 2000. It's no coincidence the Packers went 15-1 that season on the strength of a dominating offense.

Heading into the Carolina-Philadelphia game Monday night, the Packers ranked third in the NFL in yards per reception at 12.7. Among the top 20 leaders in receiving yardage, Jordy Nelson ranks fourth with a 15.9 mark. Not far behind is Randall Cobb with a 14.8 average.

While Rodgers has been airing it out, he's also benefited from new-found success with the screen pass. In the last two games, he has completed screens to running back Eddie Lacy for 56 and 67 yards.

McCarthy and offensive coordinator Tom Clements insisted Monday that they have called more screens than people realize — some of the plays wind up being traditional pass plays because Rodgers isn't required to throw to a back — but they are more noticeable because of the big plays.

"We might have used it and you might not have even known," Clements said. "We do different things off of it. So, we have other options."

Asked what he has thought of the screen game, he said: "I like 60-yard gains. So I feel pretty good."

As the weather turns, it might be harder to throw as far and accurately as Rodgers would like, but the way things are going, the Packers seem to have more than one way to stretch the field.

Best of both worlds: McCarthy was relieved that guards Josh Sitton (toe) and T.J. Lang (ankle) were able to play despite very little practice time last week.

Both fared well.

But he received a bonus when the Packers jumped out to a 42-0 halftime lead. That allowed him to remove Sitton and Lang and get backups JC Tretter and Lane Taylor some playing time.

"Josh and T.J., it was obviously very valuable having those guys," McCarthy said. "They're excellent players just where everything is choreographed inside, how we operate and communicate, adjust and things like that. That was seamless.

"Obviously, not having to play them (a lot in the second half) was definitely a benefit. Lane Taylor and JC and Garth (Gerhart) got in there and I thought they did a lot of good things, too."

Hungry man: In addition to seeing some backup linemen, McCarthy was able to get a look at No. 3 running back DuJuan Harris, who has been waiting for a turn in the offense.

McCarthy has stuck with Lacy and James Starks most of the season, but with the game out of hand he gave the ball to Harris. The diminutive back, whose action has mostly come on kickoff returns, had the best night of all the backs, gaining 52 yards on eight carries.

"I felt like DuJuan Harris, he got opportunities," McCarthy said. "If you look at the kickoff return, we really haven't had a lot of opportunities. You look at the number of touchbacks we've had. Frankly, it's a big emphasis coming out of the bye week. Fall, winter weather is here. The return game opportunities go up. We made a big emphasis of that."

Harris is a different runner from Lacy and Starks. He puts on more moves in one run than Lacy and Starks do in an entire game.

"He's got unique skill as far as running the football," McCarthy said. "I thought he played his best game clearly of the year and probably one of his best performances."

Lobbying effort: Special teams coach Shawn Slocum would like to see receiver Jarrett Boykin get credited with a blocked punt for his "block" Sunday night.

Boykin actually got his foot on the ball and knocked it away before Bears punter Pat O'Donnell could kick it. The officials ruled it a fumble and not a block.

"We're not done yet," Slocum said. "We'll see. They may look at that and adjust that because obviously on the television copy you can see Jarrett hits the ball.

"The punt is initiated when the punter releases the ball and he got there so fast that he hit the ball and knocked it off the line to be hit and struck with his leg, so I don't know. It is what it is. Great play."

Do-over: McCarthy admitted that if he could do it again, he wouldn't challenge a 3-yard completion to wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

It was clearly a reception.

"Bad challenge. Dumb challenge," McCarthy said. "Yeah, 3 yards, should have never have challenged it."