CHICAGO — For the first time since 2018, the Chicago Bears are set to host a playoff game at their home turf, Soldier Field, this Saturday.
Their last playoff appearance ended in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but this time, Chicago fans are eager for a victory against their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
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John Jurkovic, a former player for the Packers and a veteran Chicago sports radio host, has experienced the fierce rivalry from both perspectives.
“The intensity is going to be high. The fans will be fully engaged and loud, with the stakes being ‘loser goes home.’ I’m hopeful the Bears come out on top,” Jurkovic remarked. “Both teams’ supporters will be eager to attend this game, making their way to Chicago to witness all the excitement firsthand.”
This storied rivalry traces back to the era of Bears founder George Halas, whose legacy is commemorated with a statue outside Soldier Field.
Despite the Bears entering the game on the back of two consecutive regular-season losses, supporters are optimistic that this matchup will break the trend.
The Bears also won the division.
“It might be the biggest game in my lifetime. The Bears haven’t been to the playoffs in so many years, and the biggest rival,” Bears fan AJ Reingardt said.
The Packers have lost their last four games, including one to the Bears.
Ticket sales on the resale market are off the charts.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable, from a broker’s standpoint it couldn’t be better. I couldn’t have painted a better picture,” said Steve Buzil, with SitClose tickets. “Gonna get a lot of Green Bay fans, like the last game, there’s a lot of Green Bay fans coming.”
The game and the excitement surrounding it could hardly come at a better time for South Loop bars and restaurants, who expect huge business Saturday during what is normally their slowest time of the year.
“This is Green Bay at Chicago. You can’t ask for better than that. We’re ready for it,” said Carlos Hernandez, with Victory Tap. “When there’s a game, a home game, we get packed out the wazoo. Reservations are crazy, lots of walk-ins.”
The Bears and Packers have played 210 times, more than any other teams in the NFL, with the Packers holding the overall edge in victories.
This will be the third matchup this season, and Saturday’s game will serve as the tie-breaker.
The winner gets to continue in the playoffs.
The last time the Bears and Packers had a playoff game at Soldier Field, the Packers came away with the victory.
The oddsmakers have the Bears as slight favorites Saturday.
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