NFC News & Notes

Sep 23, 2010
NFC News & Notes

This Monday night at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will meet for the 180th time, the most games ever between two NFL franchises.

“There have been great rivalries in American sports,” says Packers Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end WILLIE DAVIS, “but none has had the fire in the belly that the Packers and Bears has had. None has had as much emotion associated with it.”

The most games played in a series in NFL history (including playoffs):


Chicago vs. Green Bay

179

Chicago vs. Detroit

161

Detroit vs. Green Bay

161

New York Giants vs. Washington

156

New York Giants vs. Philadelphia

154


Both teams enter the Monday-night showdown tied atop the NFC North with 2-0 records. The Bears are coming off an exciting 27-20 victory at Dallas while the Packers defeated Buffalo 34-7 last week at Lambeau Field.

“Division games are our most important games,” says Green Bay head coach MIKE MC CARTHY. “This is a huge rivalry game and it’s on Monday Night Football.”

“It’s the most-played rivalry in the NFL,” adds Chicago head coach LOVIE SMITH. “It’s a good rivalry. Normally, these are good football games and we’re glad to be a part of the history.”

Success has been the norm for both franchises. The teams rank first and second all-time in total victories (including postseason) and NFL championships:


TOTAL WINS

NFL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Chicago Bears

711

Green Bay Packers

12

Green Bay Packers

681

Chicago Bears

9

New York Giants

647

New York Giants

7

Washington Redskins

565

Pittsburgh Steelers

6

Pittsburgh Steelers

562

Three tied

5


“I’ve been here long enough to understand what this game means to everybody,” says Bears tight end DESMOND CLARK, now in his eighth season with Chicago. “It means a lot to the fans and the organizations. We’re two of the first franchises of the NFL, so it’s big. To see the same guys every year, you develop that type of attitude that you want to beat them. I don’t think there is a bigger rivalry in the NFL.”

Through the decades, the balance of power has shifted back and forth. Chicago leads the all-time series 91-82-6, including a victory in the only postseason meeting between the clubs, the Western Division playoff in 1941.

“We know it’s a division game,” says Green Bay wide receiver DONALD DRIVER. “Those guys don’t like us and we don’t like them. The fans don’t like each other and it goes back and forth between Bears fans and Packers fans.”

Chicago linebacker LANCE BRIGGS agrees with Driver on the impact of the rivalry. “These games mean a lot to the cities,” says Briggs. “If you win, your city is happy. If you lose, your city is disappointed. I know it means a lot to our fans, so we try to not let them down.”

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