The 103-year-old rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay is unmatched in the annals of the NFL. Not only is the opening day game their 205th meeting, but this will also be the 35th time the Packers and Bears will meet to open the season. By contrast, there are TWENTY-ONE NFL franchises in the league that Chicago has not yet played 35 career games. Of those 35 season openers, this will be just the fifth time Chicago hosts Green Bay in week one.
The two teams have accounted for 22 titles or 21.4%. They have appeared in 30 NFL Championship games.
There have been times when each team has flourished and slow times. In the 1930s, George Halas lent money to Lambeau just for him to meet payroll demands. In the 50s, The NFL pressured the Packers to move to Milwaukee because their stadium was possibly too small. George Halas traveled to Green Bay and spoke with City Managers. The result was a bond referendum to build what is now Lambeau Field.
In the late 1950s, it was Halas who suggested Lambeau interview a candidate for their head coach position. The Packers hired Halas' recommendation, and Vince Lombardi soon became legendary in the land of the "Frozen Tundra."
The Bears dominated this rivalry and enjoyed a record of 78-56 with six ties after the 1991 season.
The Beginning of the Lean Years
Since then, the Packers have won 48 of the last 64 meetings and now lead the rivalry with 104 wins to the Bears' 94. The last 30 years have been lean, but there have been some memorable games.
11/7/1999 The Walter Payton Game
A few days after legendary RB Walter Payton passed away, the Bears played the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers had won 10 straight games against the Bears and were heavy favorites to win again. Bears starting QB Cade McNown was injured early on, and Jim Miller threw 3 INTs in a backup role. But the Bears found themselves clinging to a one-point lead at the Two Minute Warning.
Packers QB led the team downfield, and with 7 seconds remaining, the Packers sent out kicker Ryan Longwell to kick a 28-yard chip shot to win the game. Somehow, Bryan Robinson blocked the kick, and the Bears won 14-13.
Just Beat The Packers Twice
After losing the Super Bowl in 2006, the Bears finished last in the NFC North in 2007 with a 7-9 record. Many fans say it doesn't matter the team's record as long as they beat the Packers twice. In what was Brett Favre's last year as their QB, the Packers finished the regular season 13-3 before ultimately losing at home in the NFC Championship game. But the Bears did sweep Green Bay in 2007.
Chicago scored the last 17 points to defeat Green Bay 27-20. During the game, Charles Tillman forced two fumbles with his patented "Peanut Punch," and Favre was intercepted twice in the win.
In the rematch at Soldier Field the Bears thumped Green Bay 35-7. Brian Urlacher intercepted a Brett Favre pass and returned it 85 yards for the game's final score.
Bears Spoil Favre Celebration Thanksgiving Night 11/26/2015
The Packers welcomed back Brett Favre this night, adding his name to their "Ring of Honor." And what better way to do that than to face the Bears on national television? However, the Bears decided it was their night to celebrate. A Zach Miller TD reception from Jay Cutler, a TD run by Jeremy Langford, and a Robbie Gould FG accounted for the scoring and the Bears spoiled the night for all Packer fans in a thrilling 17-13 win.
On December 16, 2018, Bears Win the NFC North
In what was the only successful year under Coach Matt Nagy, the Bears defeated the Packers 24-17 to clinch their first division crown since 2010. Mitch Trubisky threw two TDs (Cohen and Burton), and Jordan Howard added another. The Bears would finish the 2018 season 12-4 before losing in the first round of the playoffs.
The season begins in a few short weeks. I hope you enjoyed this 3 part series about the Bears-Packers rivalry. Please comment below on your favorite games between the Bears and Packers.
