Over 100 Years of Competition, The Packers and Bears Keep Battling

by Jules Da Costa, age 16

The rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears is one of the most well-known in the NFL. The Packers currently lead with the more-than-100-year rivalry with 108 wins to the Bears’ 96, with six ties. The Packers previously held an 11-game winning streak, which ended with the Bears’ first win since 2018 on January 5, 2025. These two teams have the oldest rivalry in the league. They hold the number one and two spots in all-time wins.

The rivalry began in 1921 when the two teams first went head-to-head. The Bears, known at the time as the Staleys, beat the Packers 20-0, which sparked a rivalry for the ages. The Staleys went on to win the championship that year, their first and the league’s second world championship ever. In 1922, the Staleys officially changed their team name to the Chicago Bears. It was also one of the only two years in which the Bears and the Packers didn’t face off; the Packers didn't play that year because they were temporarily kicked out of the league for illegally using college players.

The rivalry quickly turned heated, with tensions flaring in these early days. In 1924, the teams made history when Packers end Tillie Voss and Bears end Frank Hanny was ejected for fighting, marking the first ejections in NFL history. The Packers earned their first win against the Bears in 1925, but in their next matchup of the season, the Bears shut out the Packers 21-0. The Packers won their first World Championship in 1929 after going undefeated 12-0 that season and went on to win three consecutive championships. The lowest-scoring game between the two teams was in 1932 with a 0-0 tie. The highest-scoring game was when the Bears beat the Packers 52-31 in 1955.

While the Packers dominated in the early days, the Bears took control of the rivalry in the 1940s. Coached by George Halas and led by quarterback Sid Luckman, Chicago became a dominant force. In 1941, both teams finished the season with 10-1 records so they faced off in the playoffs. The Bears won 33-14 and went on to claim the NFL championship that year.

The Bears earned their 50th all-time win when they beat the Packers 17-14 in 1960. However, the 1960s marked a turning point in the rivalry with the arrival of Vince Lombardi in Green Bay. By the late 1950s, the Packers had been struggling, while the Bears dominated. Under Lombardi’s leadership, the Packers became a powerhouse, winning five championships in seven years including the first two Super Bowls. This dominance was highlighted in 1962 when the Packers shut out the Bears 49-0 before going on to win the NFL Championship. Despite Chicago’s 1963 championship win, the Packers maintained their control of the rivalry.

During the 1970s, both teams struggled. The Bears gained the upper hand in the rivalry, winning eight straight games from 1974-1977. In the 1980s, however, the rivalry reignited with Mike Ditka as head coach for the Bears. The other year the Packers and Bears didn't face off was i982 due to the strike-shortened season. The 1985 Chicago Bears, considered one of the best teams in NFL history, swept the Packers on their way to the Championship. The longest winning streak the Bears have held was an eight-game winning streak ending in 1989.

In the 1990s, the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre to the Packers turned the tide of their rivalry. He remains the most defining player in the history of the rivalry. In 1994, Favre, despite playing with a hurt hip, led the Packers to a 33-6 blowout. This win started a 10-game winning streak from 1994 to 1998. The 1996 Packers are also considered one of the best in league history, as they had the top-rated offense and defense that season, and also went on to win the championship.

The 2000s and 2010s had some of the most important matchups in the history of the rivalry. The arrival of Aaron Rodgers in 2008 continued the Packers’ dominance. The Packers won 12 out of 14 matchups from 2009 to 2016, one of the most significant games being the 2011 NFC Championship in which the Packers beat the Bears 21-14 and went on to win the championship.

Despite the Packers’ dominance in the modern era, the Packers-Bears rivalry remains the best and most historic in the league. As both teams continue to evolve, the rivalry remains intense and will continue to shape the NFL.

[Source: ESPN]