Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers: The NFL’s most important rivalry
By Daniel
Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrates a touchdown as Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) looks on during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Both Have Been Competitive In Recent Times
Remember last year’s contests?
In week nine the Bears injured Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers and went on to win the game. He was out of seven weeks before coming back to play in Green Bay’s final game of the year. That game was against Chicago and the division championship was on the line — winner take all. The playoffs hung in the balance. The week 17 matchup became an instant-classic. The Packers defeated the Bears on a last-minute fourth down bomb from Rodgers to Randall Cobb for the win. It was just another poetic moment in this timeworn rivalry. But last year wasn’t the only time these teams competed for the division crown. These teams often compete for division championships, in the last 10 years a team from this rivalry has won the NFC North eight times. Meaning that Minnesota and Detroit have combined for only two division championships since 2004. The Bears and Packers are historically and recently the top teams in the division.
Dec 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears fans wearing a bear hat during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Both of these teams have made it to the Super Bowl in recent times, too — Packers (2010) and Bears (2006). This recent success only magnifies the intensity and tradition of this rivalry. These two franchises’ ongoing success helps the past events of this rivalry stay current and in the minds of NFL fans. That is what makes this rivalry so important, no one is forgetting about Dick Butkus, Bart Starr, George Halas, or Vince Lombardi anytime soon. As long as NFL football has been played this rivalry has existed and as long as it will be played into the future, so will this rivalry.
If you want some in-depth takes on this Sunday’s matchup you’ve come to the right place. If you want a Bears fan’s perspective interviewed by a Packers fan click here. If you want a Packers fan’s perspective interviewed by a Bears fan click here. FanSided’s own sites Lombardi Ave and Bear Goggles On have teamed up to bring a two-way series entitled “Talking Smack” for this week’s game.
As if you didn’t already believe that rivalry was the most interesting rivalry in all of sports, here are a few quotes to enjoy.
“Vince Lombardi loved George Halas because he had been one of the founders of the league,” said former Packer Bill Curry. “He’d say, ‘I love that old man and every single thing he represents.’ We’d all look around at each other around the Packers’ locker room whenever he’d say something like that. We couldn’t believe he was expressing love for an opponent. That just wasn’t his schtick.”
“Halas pretty much made it clear that you beat Green Bay or else,” said former Bear Johnny Morris.
Perhaps the best way to sum up this entire rivalry is the following sentence.
“I always kind of felt Halas was a friend of the Packers, but when it came down to game day, I know he screamed like heck at them,” said former Green Bay Press-Gazette writer Art Daley. “It wasn’t dirty. But, boy, it was intense.”