CHICAGO, IL - The NFL's oldest rivalry has been lopsided in recent years, with the Green Bay Packers dominating the Chicago Bears through much of the Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre eras.
But this year's Dec. 16 tilt at Soldier Field is a bit of a role-reversal. For this game, the Bears have asserted themselves in the NFC North, and it's the Packers who have to scratch and claw to get themselves back in the NFC playoff picture.
A Packers victory means Green Bay has yet another week of life left to their playoff hopes. A Bears victory would mean an NFC North division title and the team's return to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
The 2018 Bears may be on the verge of pulling off a "worst-to-first" season, but they first must take seriously a Packers team that is having a rare off-year. The Packers have been so disappointing in 2018 that they fired their head coach, Mike McCarthy, after a narrow loss to the last-place Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago. The team did defeat the Atlanta Falcons last week under new interim head coach Joe Philbin, however.
The Bears, too, are coming off a win. And the 15-6 triumph over the high-powered Los Angeles Rams Sunday night was as exciting as it gets.
How To Watch:
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
When: Sunday at Noon CDT
Where: Soldier Field, Illinois
TV: FOX
Streaming: fuboTV, Fox Sports App
5 Things To Watch Sunday
-Mitch Trubisky to bounce back. After missing two games to injury and throwing three interceptions against the Rams, the Bears quarterback has a great chance to bounce back this week as the Packers have been among the league's worst pass defenses.
-The Freezer" Akiem Hicks to find the end zone against the Packers like "The Fridge" William Perry did in 1985? - Hicks scored on a touchdown run in a game against the New York Giants two weeks ago and could do it again at home against Green Bay, which would bring back memories of Perry's iconic Monday Night Football moment 33 years ago.
-Something's got to give: The Packers are 0-6 this season in games away from Lambeau Field ... though the Packers also has an eight-game winning streak in games played at Soldier Field.
-The Turnover Battle: The Chicago Bears lead the NFL in turnover margin at +13, however the Packers traditionally have not turned the ball over. This season, Rodgers has thrown only one interception - and has attempted 368 passes without an interception which is an NFL record.
-Back To Basics: Last week against Atlanta, interim Head Coach Joe Philbin said he wanted to get running back Aaron Jones the ball more. The result? Jones had 20 touches, totaling 106 yards and a touchdown.
Bears Vs. Packers Series History
-Green Bay leads the all-time series 97-94-6.
-The Packers have won five in a row in the series. The last Bears' win was a 17-13 decision at Green Bay on Nov. 26, 2015.
-At Soldier Field, the Packers have won eight in a row in the series, including the 2010 NFC Championship Game. The last Bears' win over Green Bay at home came on Sept. 27, 2010.
How The Bears Can Make The Playoffs:
Any combination of a win on Sunday versus the Packers or a Minnesota Vikings loss this week.
