Chicago Bears-Packers
The oldest rivalry in the NFL, forged in ice and defined by a century of gridiron war.
The Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers rivalry stands as the oldest continuous matchup in National Football League history, dating back to 1921 when the franchise was known as the Decatur Staleys. As two of the league's founding members from the original American Professional Football Association (APFA), their annual clashes have defined the North Division for over a century. This contest is not merely about divisional standings; it represents a deep-seated cultural clash between Chicago and Wisconsin, fueled by decades of championship pedigree and bitter playoff heartbreaks.
- First Meeting
- 1921
- Total Meetings
- Over 200 games played
- All-Time Series Leader
- Green Bay Packers
- Bears' Most Famous Win
- 1985 Super Bowl XX Season Context
- Key Historical Era
- George Halas vs. Curly Lambeau
Lore & Background
The rivalry reached its cultural zenith during the 1980s and early 2000s. The Bears' legendary 1985 season, which culminated in a Super Bowl victory, featured iconic defensive plays against Packers opponents that are still replayed today. Conversely, Green Bay's resurgence under Brett Favre and later Aaron Rodgers created eras of dominance where the Packers frequently dismantled Chicago's hopes for division titles, creating a cycle of hope and despair for Bears fans every December.
In Their Own Story
The wind doesn't just blow off Lake Michigan; it screams, tearing through heavy wool coats as the faithful huddle at Soldier Field (or Wrigley in the old days). The air hangs thick with the scent of roasted nuts, diesel fumes from the train engines, and frozen turf. On the sideline, a silence heavier than the 100,000-decibel roar presses down—a century of grudges weighing on every breath. A Bears linebacker locks eyes with his Green Bay counterpart across the hash marks. No words are exchanged; only the ghost of 1921, the humiliation of 1940, and the agony of 1965 hang in the frigid air. Then, the referee's whistle shatters the tension, and two titans collide on a gridiron that feels less like a field and more like a battlefield.
Reader's Guide
This rivalry wasn't just born; it was forged by neighbors. When George Halas dragged his Decatur Staleys to Chicago and Curly Lambeau founded Green Bay in the muddy fields of Wisconsin, they became the NFL's original siblings—and its most bitter rivals. Their first meeting in 1921 set a precedent that has never wavered: play twice a year, rain or shine, win or lose.
The stakes have always been sky-high. From Halas's 73-0 shellacking of the Packers in the 1940 NFL Championship to the chaotic, division-deciding clashes of the 1985 and 2000s eras, history is written in the mud of Soldier Field and Lambeau Field. What separates this from other rivalries is its ironclad consistency. While other matchups flare up based on records, Bears-Packers is a sacred appointment on the calendar, played every single season regardless of standings. The short drive between Chicago and Green Bay ensures stadiums overflow with opposing armies, turning every tackle into a referendum on over a century of shared history, hatred, and gridiron supremacy.
Did You Know?
- This is the longest-running rivalry in NFL history, having been played annually since 1921.
- The Bears hold the record for the most victories against any single opponent in their franchise history.
- Both franchises were charter members of the APFA (later renamed the NFL) in 1920.
- The rivalry has produced some of the highest-scoring and lowest-scoring games in league history.