NFL · Since 1921
Bears vs. Packers
The NFL's oldest and most storied rivalry
The Bears-Packers rivalry is the oldest in the NFL, dating back to 1921 when the two franchises first met on a muddy field in Chicago. Over more than a century, these two NFC North foes have played each other over 200 times, producing a rivalry defined by blue-collar toughness, frigid late-season showdowns, and an unwavering hatred that transcends generations. From the Halas-Lambeau era to the Ditka-Favre years, no rivalry better encapsulates the grit and tradition of professional football.
What makes this rivalry unique is the cultural divide it represents. Chicago, the sprawling metropolis, against Green Bay, the smallest market in professional sports. Bears fans see the Packers as small-town pretenders; Packers fans view Chicago with the contempt of a community that rallied around its team when the NFL was still finding its footing. The frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and the winds off Lake Michigan at Soldier Field have hosted some of the most memorable games in league history.
The rivalry has produced legendary moments: the 1941 Western Division playoff, Favre's emotional Monday Night Football performance after his father's death in 2003, and countless December clashes where playoff positioning hung in the balance. Whether it is Aaron Rodgers torching the Bears secondary or a Chicago defense bullying its way to victory, this rivalry delivers drama season after season.
Key Moments
1921
First Meeting
The Staleys (later Bears) defeated the Packers 20-0 in the rivalry's inaugural game.
1941
73-0 Echo
The Bears dominated the Western Division, cementing their superiority in the rivalry's early decades.
1985
Super Bowl Shuffle Season
The 1985 Bears swept the Packers en route to one of the most dominant seasons in NFL history.
2003
Favre's Monday Night Masterpiece
Brett Favre threw for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns the day after his father passed away.
2010
NFC Championship
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers past the Bears at Soldier Field on the way to a Super Bowl XLV victory.