Packers vs. Bears: Top five moments in historic rivalry

A look at the top five Packers-Bears moments.

Sunday’s contest against Chicago marks the 202nd overall meeting in the series, with the Green Bay Packers leading all-time 100-95-6.

The most recent of those victories came in Week 11 of the 2020 season by a score of 41-25 at Lambeau Field.

Having played so many great games, let’s take a look at the top five games/moments in the rivalry.

#5: Packers: Brett Favre throws five touchdowns on a sprained ankle (Week 11, 1995 season)

In a game that many expected Favre not to play in due to his ankle injury, he toughed it out and played in it anyway — which ended up being the best-case scenario for Green Bay.

The two teams traded scores in the first quarter, with Favre throwing the first of five total touchdowns, this one to running back Edgar Bennett on a 17-yard screen pass to tie the game at seven late in the first quarter.

The next came with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter as Favre found wide receiver Robert Brooks down the seam on a 29-yard strike to go up 14-7. The next came on first-and-goal from the 1-yard line as Favre found Dorsey Levens in the end zone on a short pass to go up 21-14 with 6:21 left in the second quarter.

Favre would once again find Robert Brooks on a huge 44-yard pass to tie the game once again at 28. Favre’s final touchdown came with minutes left in the fourth quarter, this time to Edgar Bennett once again on a 16-yard screen pass.

The Packers would end up winning the game on that play 35-28. It was one of Favre’s best games as a Packer and a very memorable game in the Packers-Bears rivalry. Favre’s performance (25/33, 336 yards, 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 147.2 passer rating), would carry him to his second of three consecutive MVP awards.

#4: Packers: Aaron Rodgers’ gutsy heroics create historic comeback (Week 1, 2018 season)

After Aaron Rodgers went down in the game with a knee injury early in the second quarter, Chicago took advantage by going up 20-3 by the end of the third quarter.

Rodgers would end up coming back in the game to start the fourth quarter, going 16/23 for 273 yards and three touchdowns, bringing Green Bay back from its largest point deficit in franchise history, winning the game 24-23, the game-winning touchdown coming from Randall Cobb (75 yards). It was yet another great moment in a rivalry filled with them.

#3: Bears: “The Walter Payton Game” (Week 9, 1999 season)

In a game filled with sadness due to the passing of legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton just days before, Green Bay struggled against the Bears at Lambeau Field.

They found themselves in a battle, down 14-13 with just seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It came down to a potential game-winning field goal attempt by Packers’ kicker Ryan Longwell of 28 yards that was blocked and gave Chicago the one-point victory. Walter Payton was definitely there in spirit that day.

#2: Packers: 2010 NFC Championship (January 2011, Soldier Field)

Green Bay found themselves facing Chicago yet again, this time in the conference championship. From frigid Soldier Field in Chicago, the game itself was a great one to watch. It had so many momentum shifts throughout it, the biggest coming late in the fourth quarter as Chicago was driving to try to tie the game at 14 apiece.

Chicago’s backup quarterback Caleb Hanie got hit on a pass attempt and had it intercepted by DT B.J. Raji for a touchdown, bringing the lead up to 21-7 Green Bay with just minutes to go. After one quick score by Chicago to pull within a touchdown at 21-14, Green Bay ended up picking off Chicago one last time (Sam Shields), sealing the victory for the Packers.

#1: Packers: Rodgers returns at Soldier Field (Week 17, 2013)

The Packers were fighting for their playoff lives, as was Chicago. The game was a wacky back-and-forth affair. Green Bay was down by one, 28-27, with 46 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It came down to one final shot on fourth-and-eight from midfield.

Rodgers took the snap, evaded a blitzing Julius Peppers on the left side (with some help from fullback John Kuhn on a block), and found Randall Cobb wide open down the middle of the field for the game-winning score.

The win secured Green Bay its third straight division title as well as an NFC wild-card game against the San Francisco 49ers. This was the most drama-filled moment in the rivalry.

What’s at stake this time

Sunday’s contest could prove to be just that as both Green Bay (12-3), and Chicago (8-7), are playing to win. Green Bay needs the win to secure the NFC’s top seed as well as home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the conference’s only bye week. While Chicago, with a win, could secure themselves a playoff spot as the seventh seed.

It looks to be yet another memorable game in the NFL’s oldest and longest running rivalry.