CINCINNATI — Aaron Rodgers ran for two touchdowns and threw for 154 yards as the Green Bay Packers upended the Cincinnati Bengals 27-13 in pre-season play Thursday.

The NFL's reigning Most Valuable Player completed 12 of 22 passes with one interception. Playing only in the first half, he ran six times for 52 yards.

Ex-University of Kentucky players toiled for each side.

Cincinnati linebacker Micah Johnson recovered a third-quarter fumble to set up a touchdown on the next play, a 15-yard pass from backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to rookie Marvin Jones. Johnson also was in on two tackles, including a sack of second-stringer Graham Harrell, before leaving because of an apparent hip injury.

For Green Bay, Randall Cobb caught two passes for 23 yards, returned one kick 20 yards and ran back a punt for 12 yards. Tim Masthay punted six times for 291 yards.

Both teams played starters and key reserves throughout the first half, which ended with Green Bay on top 17-6.

The Bengals (2-1), held to 87 yards in the first half, gave their first-team offense one more series in the second half, but went three-and-out.

Quarterback Andy Dalton finished 5-for-17 for 40 yards. Three runs gained 36 yards.

The Packers (1-2) jumped to a 14-0 lead as Rodgers scrambled for first-quarter scores of 12 and 5 yards.

"Obviously, you can't let the quarterback run like we did," Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis said at halftime. "When that happens, it nullifies good coverage or a good initial rush, and it wipes out the other good plays you make."

The Bengals drew to within 14-6, getting Mike Nugent field goals of 42 and 30 yards.

The second of those scores came after Terence Newman picked off a Rodgers pass.

Cincinnati advanced to a first down at the 1 but then lost 11 yards over three plays.

Mason Crosby's 46-yarder, with 4:59 left in the half, made it 17-6 for Green Bay.

Gradkowski's toss to Jones cut Green Bay's lead to 17-13 through three quarters.

Crosby's 36-yard field goal with 8:11 left made it 20-13.

Jamari Lattimore's TD on a 27-yard interception return of a Tyler Hansen pass with 2:57 left put the game away.