The NFC North division is heating up as the Chicago Bears, with a record of 9-3, travel to face the Green Bay Packers, who stand at 8-3-1. This Sunday showdown could determine the division leader. The Bears are on a five-game winning streak and boast the NFC’s top record, while the Packers have won their last three games. Last season, the Bears ended Green Bay’s 11-game winning streak against them with a thrilling 24-22 victory at Lambeau Field, sealed by Cairo Santos’ dramatic 51-yard field goal as the clock ran out.
The much-anticipated game kicked off at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday.
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Green Bay’s typical winter chill set the stage for an exhilarating matchup, with fans braving the cold to witness one of the most significant battles between these rival teams in recent memory.
This clash is more than just a game; it’s a storied rivalry with high stakes.
Many passionate Bears supporters made the journey north to support their team.
“Lambeau is a unique experience,” remarked Jake Allen, a Bears fan residing in Wisconsin. “The tailgating here is quite enjoyable, but cheering for the Bears in enemy territory can be challenging.”
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“It’s been a long time since the bears have had a relevant game against Green Bay and we are looking forward to taking this win,” said a Bears fan named Jim who traveled from Chicago.
Packers fans came into the game with confidence as they’ve dominated the rivalry for many years in recent memory.
“I think it should be a good game,” a Packers fan told ABC7. “It’s my first time at Lambeau, so I’m really excited.”
Fans also found any way to stay warm with temperatures sitting well below freezing Sunday in Green Bay.
Tailgates were still packed all morning and many people started their fun bright and early. As many in the Midwest are familiar with, fans say this is just football weather.
“We knew what to wear we’re Chicagoans,” Jim said. “Layer up knee pads and hope some of the libations are gonna help us too.”
Bears player to watch
QB Caleb Williams. Williams became the first Bears quarterback to win at Lambeau Field since Jay Cutler in 2015 when Chicago beat Green Bay in last season’s finale. If he’s going to make it two in a row, a little more accuracy would help. Williams has completed only 53.2% of his passes in the past five games and ranks last in the NFL in accuracy at 58.1% this season. He had a particularly rough time against Philadelphia, when he was 17 of 36 for 154 yards and finished with the second-worst completion rate (47.2 percent) of his career, though it wasn’t all on him. Receivers lost their footing on several well-placed throws.
Packers player to watch
WR Christian Watson. The previous time the Packers faced the Bears, Watson tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Watson returned to action Oct. 26 and has since emerged as perhaps the Packers’ most reliable receiver. Watson has three touchdown catches over his past three games and has 21 overall receptions for 363 yards in six games.
Key matchup
Bears RBs Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift vs. Packers run defense: Monangai and Swift each rushed for at least 125 yards and scored a touchdown in the Bears’ road victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Swift has 774 yards rushing and Monangai has 591 this season. Green Bay limited Detroit’s dynamic duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to a combined 100 yards on 28 carries last week, but DT Devonte Wyatt suffered a season-ending ankle injury in that game.
Key injuries
Bears: WR Rome Odunze (foot), LB Ruben Hyppolite (shoulder) and DB Tyrique Stevenson (hip) have been ruled out. … LB T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) has missed Chicago’s past four games, but he’s expected to play Sunday.
Packers: DT Devonte Wyatt suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Detroit. … RB MarShawn Lloyd (calf), DL Collin Oliver (hamstring), DL Lukas Van Ness (foot) and WR Savion Williams (foot) also have been ruled out. … S Javon Bullard (ankle), WR Matthew Golden (wrist) and CB Nate Hobbs (knee) are questionable. Reed and Cox have been designated to return from injured reserve, and they would need to be added to the 53-man roster Saturday before they could play Sunday. … WR Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder) was activated from injured reserve on Saturday and should play for the first time since the second week of the season. … LB Quay Walker (neck) has missed the Packers’ last two games but is expected to play against the Bears.
Series notes
The Bears had lost to the Packers 11 straight times before winning 24-22 at Lambeau Field in their 2024 regular-season finale. Both Packers-Bears games last season came down to a field-goal attempt as time expired. Cairo Santos made a 51-yard field goal to win the game at Lambeau Field after his 46-yard attempt was blocked by Brooks to end the Packers’ 20-19 victory at Soldier Field. The Packers and Bears meet again in Chicago on Dec. 20. The two NFC North rivals play each other twice each season, and this is the longest they’ve gone in a season before facing off since 1998. The Packers’ 108 victories over the Bears match the highest total by any NFL team over another. The New York Giants have beaten Washington 108 times.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
