Packers-Bears Rivalry Finally Has Teeth Again - And It’s About Time
It’s December, the NFC North race is heating up, and the Packers and Bears are finally playing a game that matters. That’s not something we’ve been able to say much over the past decade.
But here we are - Green Bay and Chicago, the NFL’s oldest rivalry, squaring off for the first time this season with real stakes on the line. And honestly, it feels right.
For a rivalry that spans more than a century, Packers-Bears games have too often felt like historical footnotes rather than headline events. That’s largely because the balance of power has been, well, unbalanced.
Green Bay’s had the upper hand for years, while Chicago’s been stuck in various stages of rebuild. But this year?
The Bears are sitting at the top of the NFC North, and the Packers are in hot pursuit. Sunday’s game isn’t just about bragging rights - it’s about postseason positioning.
Let’s be clear: this rivalry hits different when both teams are in the mix. The Bears and Packers are foundational franchises - the kind of teams that helped build the NFL into what it is today.
And while the Vikings and Lions have had their moments, they don’t carry the same historical weight. The Bears and Packers are the original heavyweights.
When they’re both swinging, the whole league takes notice.
That’s what makes this matchup so compelling. The Packers are chasing, the Bears are defending, and the winner takes a big step toward controlling the division. It’s a throwback vibe with modern implications - and it’s exactly the kind of game fans on both sides have been waiting for.
Of course, there are still questions about just how good this Bears team really is. But you can’t argue with the standings.
They’ve earned their spot, and now they’re the ones wearing the target. For the Packers, that means Sunday is about more than just getting a win - it’s about knocking off the team that’s currently standing in their way.
That urgency adds a layer of intensity we haven’t seen in this rivalry for a while. It’s no longer just about history or tradition. It’s about right now.
And Green Bay’s defense is going to have to bring it. They’re moving forward without Devonte Wyatt, a key piece up front, but they’re not folding.
That unit still has playmakers - and when you’ve got someone like Micah Parsons wreaking havoc along the line, you’ve got a shot to make up for the loss. Parsons' versatility and ability to disrupt from multiple spots gives the Packers a fighting chance to keep pressure on whoever’s under center for Chicago.
This is the stretch run of the season. Every game is magnified, every mistake costly. And for the first time in a long time, Packers-Bears is more than a nostalgic matchup - it’s a battle with real playoff implications.
So yes, it’s a little strange that these two haven’t played yet this season. But maybe that delay just built the tension. Because now, with the division in play and the postseason looming, the timing couldn’t be better.
Packers. Bears.
December football. And for once, it really means something again.