Bears vs Packers

Bears vs Packers Odds

The NFL’s oldest rivalry, between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, has generated passion on both sides for decades since the first meeting nearly 100 years ago.

Bettors should not allow the fierce emotions of these games to shade a more pragmatic view of either team when placing a bet.

The proximity of these two squads has helped fuel the fire for decades. Where these games are held, either in the historic and relatively cozy confines of Green Bay’s Lambeau Field or the sometimes deafening environment of Chicago’s Soldier Field, may help partially determine the betting line.

Home-field advantage in the NFL is generally worth +3 to a spread, many times overshadowing vital pertinent information, i.e. team trends, personnel moves, injuries, etc. But it’s the ultimate head-versus-heart call, so beware.

Need proof? How about in 1999 when the Packers were in the glory days of the Brett Favre era. Green Bay had won the last 10 meetings between the two teams, reaching two Super Bowls and winning one in the process. The Bears were just bad.

But in the midseason tilt at Lambeau, with Green Bay a huge favorite at home, the Bears not only shattered the spread but also pulled off a 14-13 upset win. The long-term effects sent Green Bay reeling the rest of the way and out of the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

Home is not always where the heart is especially in football wagering.

Bears vs Packers History

The NFL’s oldest rivalry began in 1921, and Chicago and Green Bay have racked up 22 NFL championships (Green Bay with 13, Chicago with 9) combined entering the 2019 season. The two teams have played one another 198 times – the most in NFL history - in both the regular and postseasons. They’ve met twice in the NFL playoffs splitting the pair of games.

Not only has the close proximity between Chicago and Green Bay (201 miles) added to the rivalry’s intensity, but also the two teams have played in the same division since the NFL moved to a conference format in 1933 pitting them against one another annually in a home-and-home series.

Great Bears-Packers Games

Choosing even a handful of standout games over the course of the approximately 200 Chicago and Green Bay have played against one another is a nearly impossible task.

The Super Bowl Bears team of 1985 went to Green Bay and won 16-10 in a game significant for two reasons. Walter Payton ran for 192 yards and fans witnessed the “birth” of William “Refrigerator” Perry as an offensive weapon and folk hero when he caught a touchdown pass right before halftime.

A more recent example would be the 2010 NFC Championship Game when the two teams met in the playoffs for the first time in 70 years. On a cold January Sunday at Solder Field Green Bay got off to a 14-0 lead much to the chagrin of the frozen Bears faithful.

To make matters worse, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was sidelined with what turned out to be a Grade 2 MCL tear in his knee. But riding in to try and save the day was third string QB Caleb Hanie and the Central Michigan product nearly pulled off the impossible, cutting the Packers' lead to 14-7 with a touchdown pass in the second half.

However, an errant pass into the hands of nose tackle B.J. Raji, who returned it for a touchdown, essentially ended that Cinderella story.

Infamous Packers-Bears Moments

There have been highlight reels of goofs, blunders and infamy over the course of this rivalry. Green Bay placekicker Chester Marcol, wearing prescription frame glasses and a single-barred facemask, running back a blocked punt for a touchdown in a 1980 Packer win stands out.

But Chicago got its revenge and then some when the two teams met later that year with a 61-7 drubbing, sending Green Bay to its second-worst loss in history at the time.

Notable Players

Chicago and Green Bay have sent 65 players to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Bears with 34 and Packers with 31. The list is a veritable “Who’s Who” with Curly Lambeau, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, James Lofton, Reggie White and Brett Favre from the Packers and Bronko Nagurski, Gayle Sayers, Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher from Chicago just to name a few.

Bears vs Packers FAQs

• What is the Packers-Bears All-Time record?
  Green Bay leads series 97-95-6 entering the 2019 season.
• When Do Chicago and Green Bay Play Next?
  The Bears and Packers next play on Sept. 5, 2019 in Chicago.
• When Did the Bears and Packers First Play?
  The first meeting between the Bears and Packers happened on Nov. 27, 1921.
• Who Won the First Meeting Between the Bears and Packers?
  Chicago (known then as the Staleys) won the first meeting with the Packers 20-0. The next season Chicago changed its name to Bears.