The Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) and Chicago Bears (11-6) are set to square off for the third time this season and in their playoff history on Saturday night. This prestigious matchup will take place at 7 PM at Soldier Field as part of the NFC wild-card playoffs, airing on Prime Video, with local fans in Green Bay and Milwaukee having the option to watch via an over-the-air broadcast.
Historically, the Packers lead the series with 109 wins compared to the Bears” 97 victories and six ties. This encounter marks the third playoff meeting between these storied franchises, all held in Chicago. The most recent playoff clash occurred during the 2010 NFC Championship Game, where the Packers triumphed 21-14. In that game, Aaron Rodgers contributed significantly, scoring a touchdown and making a crucial tackle after an interception. B.J. Raji also made headlines with an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Sam Shields sealed the victory with a second interception.
The rivalry”s earlier playoff encounter took place in 1941, where the Bears dominated with a 33-14 win at Wrigley Field. Despite the Packers initially taking a 7-0 lead, the Bears retaliated with 30 unanswered points, including an 81-yard punt return touchdown by Hugh Gallarneau.
In their regular-season matchups this year, the Packers narrowly escaped with a 28-21 win at Lambeau Field, thanks to Keisean Nixon“s end-zone interception. However, the Bears claimed victory in the second matchup, winning 22-16 in overtime after the Packers struggled in the red zone with five failed attempts.
Bears coach Ben Johnson expressed his respect for the Packers, noting the competitive nature of the matchup and the coaching prowess on both sides. “Good opponent,” he stated after a recent game. “I think we”re fairly evenly matched. Got a lot of respect for how well they”re coached and the talent level they have.”
When examining performance against common opponents, the Packers finished with a 7-4-1 record, while the Bears fared slightly better at 8-4. Statistically, the Packers ranked 16th in points scored per game, averaging 23.0, and 11th in points allowed, with 21.2 per game. The Bears, on the other hand, ranked ninth in scoring with an average of 25.9 points but struggled defensively, landing 29th in total defense.
As both teams enter the playoffs, the Packers are carrying a four-game losing streak, a rare occurrence for a playoff team. Coach Matt LaFleur emphasized the fresh start that comes with the playoffs, saying, “We”re in the tournament. Everybody”s 0-0. We need to embrace this opportunity.” The Bears, despite entering the postseason with two consecutive losses, are looking to reset and make a strong playoff push.
This historic rivalry promises to deliver an exciting playoff atmosphere as these two teams battle for supremacy once again.
