Live Feed: Packers and Bears Prepare for 210th Showdown—A Look Back at Legendary Rivalry Moments
Green Bay, Wis. – This Sunday, the Green Bay Packers will host the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field for the 210th chapter in one of football’s oldest and most storied rivalries. From unforgettable plays to infamous clashes, this series has seen it all. Here’s a countdown of the five greatest Packers-Bears games, along with some honorable mentions that shaped the rivalry.
5. September 7, 1980: Packers 12, Bears 6
The 1980 clash was decided in overtime in one of the most bizarre endings in NFL history. With the game tied, Packers kicker Chester Marcol attempted a 35-yard field goal, only to have it blocked by Alan Page. The ball bounced back to Marcol, who dashed around the left side for the winning touchdown—with the ball hilariously balanced on his helmet during his celebration.
“It’s a dream come true,” Marcol said. “This is probably the biggest moment in my life.”
Three months later, the Bears got revenge with a 61-7 blowout, one of the most lopsided wins in series history. Former Bears lineman Dan Jiggetts revealed that backup quarterback Mike Phipps deliberately ignored calls to run the ball and aired it out to rub it in.
4. September 9, 2018: Packers 24, Bears 23
In a thrilling season opener, the Packers staged their largest fourth-quarter comeback ever. Trailing 20-0 in the second half after Aaron Rodgers was carted off with a leg injury, the Packers’ outlook seemed bleak. But Rodgers returned, leading a stunning rally capped by a 75-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb.
“When Cobb turned upfield, all he saw was green grass,” a commentator remarked. Rodgers’ leadership, combined with a late-game strip-sack by Nick Perry, sealed a dramatic victory.
3. December 29, 2013: Packers 33, Bears 28
This high-stakes NFC North showdown at Soldier Field came down to the wire. With 46 seconds remaining, on fourth-and-6, Aaron Rodgers found a wide-open Randall Cobb for the game-winning touchdown.
“It felt like the ball was in the air forever,” Cobb admitted. Meanwhile, John Kuhn’s crucial block against Julius Peppers gave Rodgers just enough time to make the play. The victory handed Green Bay the division title and sent the Bears home for the season.
2. November 6, 1989: Packers 14, Bears 13
Dubbed the “Instant Replay Game,” this matchup ended in controversy. Late in the game, Don Majkowski found Sterling Sharpe for what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown. However, a penalty flag for throwing past the line of scrimmage initially nullified the play.
After a nearly four-minute review, officials overturned the call, giving the Packers the win and snapping the Bears’ eight-game streak in the series.
“I had full confidence I wasn’t over the line,” Majkowski said. The Bears, however, marked the game with an asterisk in their media guide—a detail Packers fans never forget.
1. January 23, 2011: Packers 21, Bears 14
The stakes were sky-high in the 2010 NFC Championship Game, and the Packers delivered. Despite a rare interception by Aaron Rodgers, his tackle on Brian Urlacher prevented a Bears touchdown and became one of his most memorable plays.
Later, B.J. Raji’s pick-six off backup quarterback Caleb Hanie extended the Packers’ lead to 21-7. With the Bears threatening late, Sam Shields’ interception sealed the victory, sending the Packers to the Super Bowl, where they ultimately triumphed.
Rodgers reflected years later: “Grabbing Urlacher’s knee enough to trip him up is one of my favorite memories.”
Honorable Mentions: Wild Moments in Packers-Bears History
- 1936: A Packers fan accidentally punched a Bears player instead of a referee.
- 1957: The first game at what would become Lambeau Field, attended by Vice President Richard Nixon.
- 1985: Tempers flared when Packers defender Charles Martin body-slammed Jim McMahon, ending the Bears quarterback’s season.
- 2021: Rodgers’ infamous “I own you!” taunt after scoring against the Bears.
- 2022: The Packers surpassed the Bears for the most wins in NFL history, with Rodgers finishing his career 25-5 against Chicago.
As the Packers and Bears prepare for their latest clash, the echoes of these iconic games will undoubtedly resonate through Lambeau Field. Stay tuned for what promises to be another unforgettable chapter in this historic rivalry!
