GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Most NFL offensive linemen played tackle at some point during their football lives, even if it was just in high school. Most of those played left tackle. It's where the best of the best lined up.

At one point in Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy's tenure, his entire starting five on the line had played tackle in college -- even then-center Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Lane Taylor is the exception.

The Packers' Lane Taylor, here celebrating with teammte Ty Montgomery after a touchdown earlier this season, excelled in his first crack at left tackle against the Bears. AP Photo/David Goldman

It made what he accomplished Thursday night even more impressive.

The Packers' regular left guard played all 55 offensive snaps at left tackle in the 35-14 win over the Chicago Bears. None of his previous 1,508 NFL snaps had come at tackle. Same thing in high school back in Arlington, Texas. Same thing in college at Oklahoma State -- except for one play in a spring game.

"It was an interception," Taylor said. "It was like a keep [roll-out pass], so I didn't even really do a pass set or anything. So that's it."

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked twice Thursday. Neither was Taylor's fault.

In fact, McCarthy showed so much faith in Taylor that four of the first five run calls were to Taylor's side. Without left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle), McCarthy played with four guards and a center. First-year pro Lucas Patrick, who had never before played an NFL regular-season snap, filled in for Taylor at left guard. Justin McCray, a guard by trade, made his second career start at right tackle.

Those three plus center Corey Linsley and right guard Jahri Evans will receive game balls for their performance, McCarthy said Friday, crediting offensive line coach James Campen and assistant Jeff Blasko for the smooth transition.

"I was very impressed with the performance, with the in-game adjustments, because you always have those," McCarthy said. "There is a little bit of wait-and-see. I mean, let's be honest. That first drive was, that's a real testament to those guys because I wasn't just calling plays, I was gathering information and that's one as a coach, and I know James and Jeff will look back on that one with a big smile on their face and the players will also."

And they did it on a short week, no less. Taylor said he found out Tuesday that he would replace Bakhtiari and had the benefit of just two short practices -- neither of which was in pads -- to get ready. He asked outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Chris Odom to go after him full speed on a couple of practice reps.

"Other than that, that's all I really got," Taylor said.

To be sure, McCarthy gave help to both Taylor and McCray (more so to McCray) by using multiple tight ends and some two-back sets. Although Rodgers threw for only 179 yards, he finished with a 128.0 passer rating thanks to four touchdown passes and no turnovers.

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"Lane just stepped out there, he took the practice reps and I thought those guys did a heck of a job," McCarthy said. "They kept us in a very flexible game plan because, through experience, there's times you have to play close to the vest and you can't take advantage of your perimeter players, particularly Aaron and our perimeter players. But that wasn't the case. Those guys, they kept me in a very healthy call sheet, so we were able to stay aggressive."

Taylor watched two years ago when then-left guard Josh Sitton was asked to play left tackle in the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings -- a move that gave Taylor just his second NFL start in place of Sitton. And Sitton, a Pro Bowler at guard, struggled at tackle and after the game said, "I think I'm a guard."

"Yeah, there were flashbacks," Taylor said of Sitton's one-game position switch.

Taylor signed a three-year, $16 million contract extension earlier this month, but perhaps he should try to renegotiate for tackle money.

"We just know Lane can play left tackle if we need it, and Lucas can play left guard if we need it," Rodgers said after the game. "Obviously, we'd love to get Bryan and David back at some point, but we stand here today feeling like we have more depth and more confidence in those guys than we had yesterday. So I'm really proud of those guys."