The Bears-Packers rivalry isn't just back. It might be better than ever.
Green Bay meets Chicago in the 2026 NFL playoffs. It's the first playoff matchup since the 2010 NFC championship game – the crown jewel of this series to date.
The Packers beat the Bears 21-14 on Jan. 23, 2011 – with B.J. Raji's interception return for a touchdown serving as the signature moment. The Bears won the other playoff meeting 33-14 at Wrigley Field on Dec. 14, 1941. George Halas and Curly Lambeau were the coaches in that game.
The history in this rivalry is deep. Vince Lombardi, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers. Dick Butkus, Mike Ditka, Walter Payton. Legendary names fill the montage, and the latest chapter has been brought all that back.
The last four meetings have been decided by an average of four points per game. Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson have added spice to the rivalry. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams has split four starts against the Packers, and the last meeting was a thrilling 22-16 overtime victory for Chicago at Soldier Field capped with a 46-yard TD pass to DJ Moore.
CALEB WILLIAMS TO DJ MOORE FOR THE WIN
— PFF (@PFF) December 21, 2025
THE BEARS CALLED GAME 🚀pic.twitter.com/T0bhUKiYGi
That came two weeks after the Packers won 28-21 at Lambeau Field. Packers-Bears III is the most intriguing game of wild-card weekend – especially with Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love returning from a concussion.
It will add to the history and great moments this rivalry has produced:
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Bears vs. Packers all-time record
The NFC wild-card matchup between the Packers and Bears marks the 213th meeting between the franchises. Green Bay holds a 108-96-6 advantage in the regular-season meetings, and the teams have split two playoff matchups.
| PACKERS | GAMES | BEARS |
| 108 | REG. SEASON WINS | 96 |
| 6 | TIES | 6 |
| 1 | PLAYOFF WINS | 1 |
Why is Bears vs. Packers a rivalry?
Neighbouring states in Illinois and Wisconsin. Big city vs. Small market. It's the essence of the NFL. George Halas founded the Decatur Staleys when the NFL was formed in 1920 – and two years later the franchise changed its name to the Chicago Bears. The Packers were founded by Curly Lambeau in 1919 and joined the NFL in 1921.
It was a natural regional rivalry that defined the early days of the NFL. From 1929-44, Green Bay won six NFL championships and the Bears won five NFL championships. Halas and Lambeau were behind that. When the NFL merged in 1967, both teams were in the NFC Central Division, which became the NFC North Division in 2002.
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When was the first Bears vs. Packers game
Green Bay and Chicago played their first game on Nov. 27, 1921 at Cubs Park. The Bears – then still the Decatur Staleys – beat the Packers 20-0. Pete Stinchcomb and Pard Pearce scored TD runs in the second quarter, and Halas caught a TD pass from Ohio State legend Chic Harley in the fourth quarter. This marked the start of the NFL's most storied rivalry.
Is Bears vs. Packers the oldest NFL rivalry?
The Bears and the Chicago Cardinals – now the Arizona Cardinals – were founding members of the NFL in 1920 – so that is technically the NFL's oldest rivalry. The Packers and Bears, however, have played at least twice a year since 1934 with the exception of the strike-shortened 1982 season. It's the longest continuous rivalry in the NFL, and the only one where they have played more than 200 times.
Bears vs. Packers rivalry stats
Green Bay and Chicago rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, for the most wins in NFL history. The Packers have the highest-winning percentage, and the Bears rank fifth. A look at the rivalry by the numbers:
| PACKERS | STAT | BEARS |
| 819 | WINS | 809 |
| 611 | LOSSES | 652 |
| 42 | TIES | 39 |
| .572 | WINNING % | .544 |
| 9 | NFL CHAMPS. (1920-65) | 8 |
| 4 | SUPER BOWLS (1966-present) | 1 |
| 1 | SUPER BOWL APP. | 2 |
| 37-27 | PLAYOFF RECORD | 17-20 |
Most memorable Bears vs. Packers games
The Packers-Bears rivalry has produced countless memorable games in its history. Here is a look at some of the most memorable wins for both sides.
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Bears memorable wins against Packers
The Week 16 against Green Bay might end up No. 1 on this list, but these games also stand out for Chicago:
Bears 23, Packers 7 (Oct. 21, 1985)
William "The Refrigerator" Perry – a 335-pound defensive tackle – scored on a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter, and Walter Payton scored twice on Monday Night Football in a memorable victory at Soldier Field that preceded the "Super Bowl Shuffle" during the Bears' 15-1 season. Chicago beat New England in Super Bowl XX.
OTD 1985
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) October 21, 2023
William Perry score his first touchdown on #MNF#Bears #DaBears #Packers pic.twitter.com/2HqBiOQT41
Bears 14, Packers 13 (Nov. 7, 1999)
Six days after Walter Payton died, Chicago snapped an 11-game losing streak in the rivalry when Bryan Robinson blocked Ryan Longwell's field-goal attempt in the final seconds for a 14-13 victory at Lambeau Field.
Bears 17, Packers 13 (Nov. 26, 2015)
The Packers retired Brett Favre's jersey on a rainy Thanksgiving night, but the Bears were in the mood to play spoiler. Jay Cutler threw a TD to Zach Miller in the first half, and Chicago forced two turnovers in an ugly victory.
Packers memorable wins against Bears
The 2010 NFC championship game is No. 1, but there are a few other games on the short list:
Packers 33, Bears 28 (Dec. 29, 2013)
The NFC North was on the line at Soldier Field, and the Bears had a 28-26 lead and needed one stop to clinch the division. Aaron Rodgers, however, converted three times on fourth down – the last a fourth-and-8 conversion for a 48-yard TD pass to a wide-open Randall Cobb with 38 seconds remaining.
Today in 2013:
— Packers History (@HistoricPackers) December 29, 2025
Joe @Buck: Blitz! Rodgers gets out. Floats it. Cobb!
Touchdown, Randall Cobb! His second of the game! Pic.twitter.com/OFZ2tBpFRF
Packers 24, Bears 23 (Sept. 9, 2018)
In a huge Sunday Night Football matchup to start the season, the Bears jumped out to a 20-0 lead behind Khalil Mack, who had a sack and an interception in his Chicago debut. Rodgers left with a knee injury in the first half, but he returned and threw three fourth-quarter TDs, the last a 75-yarder to Cobb, to secure a memorable victory at Lambeau Field.
Packers 33, Bears 6 (Oct. 31, 1994)
The Bears retired Gale Sayers' jersey on a Monday Night Football matchup on Halloween, but Brett Favre – wearing NFL 75th anniversary throwback uniforms – spoiled the event. Favre's 36-yard TD run in the second quarter ignited the blowout and set the tone for a long period of Packers' dominance in the rivalry.
Other memorable games in Packers-Bears history
Packers 12, Bears 6 (Sept. 7, 1980)
Packers kicker Chester Marcol was brought on in the final seconds to kick the game-winning field goal. Bears defensive tackle Alan Page blocked the kick, but Marcol – who wore glasses and a single-bar facemask – caught the blocked kick and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown. The Bears beat the Packers 61-7 later that season.
September 7, 1980
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) September 7, 2025
One of the craziest endings to an NFL game #Packers kicker Chester Marcol — who later admitted he was high on cocaine — collects his own blocked FG attempt and scampers 25 yards for a TD, lifting Green Bay to a 12-6 opening day OT win over Chicago at Lambeau. Pic.twitter.com/BZDh8se6Cr
Bears 12, Packers 10 (Nov. 23, 1986)
Packers defensive lineman Chuck Martin slammed Bears quarterback Jim McMahon to the turf in one of the dirtiest hits in NFL history. McMahon suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, and Martin was suspended for two games in one of the ugliest incidents in the rivalry.
Packers 14, Bears 13 (Nov. 6, 1989)
The "Instant Replay Game." Packers quarterback Don Majkowski threw a TD pass to Sterling Sharpe in the fourth quarter. The officials threw a penalty flag and ruled Majkowski went past the line of scrimmage, but the play was overturned by replay and ruled a touchdown, which sent Bears coach Mike Ditka into a fit on the sideline.
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Why Packers vs. Bears is still a major rivalry
Williams and Johnson have brought the Bears back into the national spotlight. Chicago won the NFC North this season – and they have a series of fourth-quarter comebacks, including that victory against the Packers that was made possible with a late onside kick.
Love is 4-2 against the Bears. LaFleur is 12-2 against Chicago. That dominance that reigned through the Favre and Rodgers era has been threatened, and the rivalry appears on even footing for the first time in a long time. The NFC wild-card matchup will embody all of that.
The Week 16 matchup averaged 21.3 million viewers – and that also was a Saturday night game. What kind of numbers will the game draw on Prime Video? Will it be the most-streamed NFL game ever?