Frozen Sidelines, High Stakes: Packers-Bears Clash Comes with Extra Chill and Playoff Pressure
Saturday night’s NFC North showdown between the Packers and Bears had all the makings of a classic - bitter cold, playoff implications, and just enough sideline drama to get everyone talking. But beyond the on-field action, it was what was not heating up that drew early attention: Green Bay’s sideline heaters.
In a game that could determine the division crown, the Packers found themselves battling more than just the Bears. With temperatures hovering at 32 degrees but feeling closer to 16 thanks to a biting wind chill, the conditions were already brutal.
Then came the kicker: Green Bay’s sideline heaters reportedly stopped working. Meanwhile, Chicago’s setup was functioning just fine.
Fox’s Erin Andrews delivered the update during the broadcast, noting that the Packers’ offensive line bench - designed to keep players warm and loose - wasn’t operating either. That’s a big deal in a game where trench play is everything, especially when fingers go numb and muscles tighten up in the cold. Andrews also mentioned Jordan Love had exited following a hard hit, adding to Green Bay’s mounting challenges.
Tom Brady, part of the broadcast crew, weighed in on the situation when asked whether Chicago should be required to shut down their heaters to even the playing field. “I think if it happens on one side, it’s got to go to the other side,” Brady said.
It’s a fair point. In a league that prides itself on parity, something as simple - and essential - as sideline heat shouldn't be a competitive advantage.
To be clear, there’s no official word suggesting foul play from the Bears’ side. Malfunctions happen. But in a rivalry as storied and intense as Packers-Bears, every detail gets magnified - especially with playoff spots on the line.
And those stakes couldn’t be higher. A win for Green Bay would not only vault them into first place in the NFC North but also lock up a playoff berth in Week 16. Right now, they’re sitting seventh in the NFC playoff picture, clinging to a spot in a crowded race.
Chicago, on the other hand, is chasing its first postseason appearance since 2018. With a top-10 scoring offense - something Bears fans haven’t seen in a while - this team has found a rhythm at just the right time.
A win Saturday would go a long way toward punching their ticket to January football. Even with a loss, they’re still in solid shape, with a 78% chance to make the playoffs according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
So yes, the heaters - or lack thereof - made headlines. But the real fire in this one came from two teams fighting for their postseason lives, in the kind of cold-weather battle that defines December football in the NFC North.