The Chicago Bears will begin their 104th NFL season on September 10th, when Chicago plays host to their long-time rival Green Bay Packers (3:25 PM on Fox). No two teams have faced each other more than this historic NFL rivalry. This will mark the 205th regular season game. They have also played twice in the postseason.
The Packers lead the series 105-95-6 including playoffs, but the Bears were dominating the rivalry at one time. After four straight wins in 1990 and 91, the Bears led this series 79-57-6. Chicago defeated Green Bay in their first game in 1992, 30-10 at Lambeau Field.
As this storied rivalry is renewed for the 205th time, the Packers are currently riding an 8-game win streak and have been victorious in 13 of the last 14 games. The only loss came in December of 2018.
The history of the rivalry is rich, and we look at some of the top games in the oldest rivalry in the NFL.
When It All Started
The Bears shut out the Packers 20-0 on 11/27/21 in the first-ever meeting between Green Bay and Chicago. 1921 was the first year the Bears moved to Chicago after playing their first year in the league in Decatur. 1921 was also the Bears' first championship.
The Legend of Don Hutson began against Chicago
The Bears had won championships in 1932 and 33 and played the New York Giants in the 1934 championship after a 13-0 regular season. In what became known as the “Sneaker’s Game” the Bears lost 30-13. The 1935 season began on 9/22/35, with the Packers hosting the Bears. Prior to kickoff, George Halas warned the team about the Packers' rookie wide receiver, Don Hutson.
On the first play, Hutson took in a long pass from QB Arnie Herber. The catch and run totaled 83 yards for the game's only score. After three straight appearances in the NFL Championship game, the Bears finished just 6-4-2 in 1935, only good enough for 3rd place in the Western Division.
The Key Game of 1963 and the Last Championship of George Halas’ Career
Under their new coach, Vince Lombardi, the Packers were two-time defending champions entering the 1963 season. The Bears won the Western Division with a record of 11-1-2. Green Bay finished right behind Chicago with an 11-2-1 record. The Bears defeated the Packers on opening day, 10-3, in Green Bay. Chicago’s only loss was to the 49ers in week 6. The game in Chicago would be pivotal.
The rematch in Chicago was played November 17th at Wrigley Field, with the Bears winning 26-7. Halas’ Bears beat Green Bay twice, the Packers only 2 losses of the ‘63 season, and the Bears would win the Championship, defeating New York 14-10, 5 weeks later.
Gale Sayers and Roger Leclerc?
On a day that saw one of the worst passing performances in Bears' history, one Hall of Famer and a journeyman stole the show on a cold day in Green Bay on the first Sunday of November 1968. Bears QB Virgil Carter was horrific with a stat line of 5-14 for 51 yards, 2 INTs, and 2 sacks.
This game was memorable for two reasons; Gale Sayers' best-rushing game of his career and a little-known rule that proved key in a Bears win.
Sayers finished the day with 205 yards on just 24 carries, but the game was tied 10-10 at the two-minute warning. After holding the Packers, forcing a punt deep in Packer territory, Halas instructed the return man to make a fair catch. Taking advantage of a little-known rule, Bears kicker Roger Leclerc kicked a 43 field goal on a Direct Free Kick, which proved to be the margin of victory in the 13-10 Bears win.
After 50 Years, Bears Say GoodBye to Wrigley Field
The Bears entered the 1970 season knowing it would be their last season at Wrigley Field. Their final opponent would be none other than the Green Bay Packers. December 13th marked the last game the Bears would ever play at Wrigley, their home for 50 years.
The star of this game was Bears QB Jack Concannon, who delighted the home crowd with a day! Concannon's stat line was 21-34- 338 yards with 4 TDs; WRs George Farmer (9-142 1 TD) and Dick Gordon (7-92 2 TDs) benefitted from Jack Concannon’s stellar performance.
The game was never close, and the final score of the final game at Wrigley was Bears 35, Packer 17.
The history of the Bears-Packers rivalry is rich with great games and more incredible stories. These games were excellent, and we will review more games from the greatest rivalry in the NFL as opening day approaches. Until then, please comment below with your most memorable Bears vs. Packers game.
