All Episodes

January 31, 2025 • 13 mins
The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears rivalry is the most historic and intense in the NFL. Spanning over a century, this legendary feud has featured Hall of Fame players, unforgettable games, and fierce battles for football supremacy. With over 200 matchups and multiple championships between them, the Packers vs. Bears rivalry defines the heart of professional football.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Rivalries, the ultimate showdown of sports history's most
intense and iconic matchups. From legendary battles on the field,
the court, and the ice, to the stories behind the
rivalries that defined eras and divided fans. Will bring you
the stats, the stories, and the behind the scenes details

(00:21):
you won't hear anywhere else. So gear up and get
ready to relive the greatest clashes that made sports history.
This is Rivalries. Green Bay Packers verus Chicago Bears. The
rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears
stands as one of the oldest and most storied in
all of professional sports. This fierce competition has spanned over

(00:42):
a century, captivating fans, defining eras, and shaping the very
fabric of the National Football League. The history between these
two storied franchises is rich with legendary players, unforgettable moments,
and a level of excellence that has set the standard
for professional football. The roots of this rivalry can be
traced back to November twenty seventh, nineteen twenty one, when

(01:06):
the Chicago Staleyes who would become the Bears the following year,
defeated the Packers twenty to zero in their first ever meeting.
This inaugural matchup set the stage for what would become
the NFL's most played rivalry, with over two hundred meetings
between the two teams to date. The early years of
the rivalry were dominated by the Bears, who established themselves

(01:27):
as a powerhouse under the leadership of George Hollis. Hollis,
who served as both player and coach, was instrumental in
shaping the Bears into one of the NFL's premier franchises.
During his tenure, which spanned several decades, Hollis led the
Bears to multiple NFL championships and established a winning tradition
that would define the franchise for generations to come. On

(01:50):
the Packer's side, the early years were marked by struggle
and financial hardship. However, the arrival of Curley Lambeau as
both player and coach in the nineteen twenties began to
turn the tie for Green Bay. Lambeau, like Hallis, would
become a legendary figure in NFL history, guiding the Packers
to multiple championships and establishing Green Bay as a force
to be reckoned. With the rivalry truly began to heat

(02:13):
up in the nineteen thirties and nineteen forties, as both
teams emerged as dominant forces in the NFL. This era
saw some of the most memorable games in the history
of the rivalry, including a nineteen forty one playoff tiebreaker
that the Bears won thirty three to fourteen on their
way to a championship. This period also saw the emergence
of some of the greatest players in NFL history, including

(02:36):
Bears legends like Sid Luckman and Bronco Negirsky and Packers'
stars like Don Hudson and Clark Hinkle. One of the
most significant moments in the early history of the rivalry
came on November twenty third, nineteen twenty four, when Chicago's
Frank Hanney and Green Bay's Tilliboss became the first players
in league history to be ejected from a game for fighting.

(02:58):
This incident set the tone for the physical and often
contentious nature of the rivalry that would persist for decades
to come. As the rivalry progressed through the years, it
continued to produce memorable moments in legendary players. The nineteen
fifties and nineteen sixties saw the emergence of players like
the Bears Gal Sayers and Dick Bkiss and the Packers

(03:20):
Bart Starr and Ray Nichke. This era was particularly dominated
by the Packers under the leadership of legendary coach Vince Lombardi,
who led Green Bay to five NFL championships in seven years,
including the first two Super Bowls. The nineteen seventies and
nineteen eighties saw a shift in the balance of power,
with the Bears regaining dominance under coaches like Mike Ditka.

(03:42):
The nineteen eighty five Bears team, led by players like
Walter Payton, Jim McMahon and a ferocious defense anchored by
Mike Singletary, is often considered one of the greatest teams
in NFL history. They steam rolled their way to a
Super Bowl victory, including two desis decisive wins over the
Packers along the way. However, the Packers would have their

(04:04):
revenge in the nineteen nineties and two thousands, led by
quarterbacks Brett Farv and Aaron Rodgers. Farv in particular, tormented
the Bears throughout his career, compiling a twenty two to
ten record against Chicago. Rogers has continued this dominance with
a twenty four and five record against the Bears as
of twenty twenty three, before leaving to play for the Jets.

(04:26):
Throughout the history of this rivalry, both teams have been
led by some of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
For the Bears, George Hallis set the standard, leading the
team to six NFL championships. His successors, including Mike Dicka
and Lovey Smith, added to the Bears legacy of success.
On the Packers side, Curley Lambeau and Vince Lombardi defined

(04:47):
eras of dominance, with Lombardi's name becoming synonymous with football excellence.
More recent coaches like Mike Holmgren and Mike McCarthy have
continued the tradition of success in Green Bay. The impact
of this rivalry extends far beyond the football field. It
has become a cultural phenomenon, representing more than just a

(05:08):
competition between two teams. The Packers Bears rivalry embodies the
clash between smalltown America and big city life, between the
frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and the windy city Soldier Field.
This rivalry has also produced some of the most iconic
players in NFL history for the Bears, names like Walter Payton,

(05:29):
Dick Butkis, Gail Sayers, and Brian Urlacker are revered. The
Packers counter with legends such as Bart Starr, Brett Favre,
Reggie White, and Aaron Rodgers. These players have not only
defined their respective franchises, but have also shaped the very
history of the NFL. The all time series between these
two teams is incredibly close, reflecting the competitive nature of

(05:53):
the rivalry. As of twenty twenty three, the Packers hold
a slight edge with one hundred and five wins to
the ninety five with six ties. This includes both regular
season and playoff matchups. The closeness of this record is
even more remarkable considering the Packers' recent dominance, having won
twenty two of the last twenty five meetings between the

(06:14):
two teams. Some of the most memorable games in this
rivalry include the nineteen forty one playoff tiebreaker, which the
Bears won thirty three to fourteen on their way to
a championship. Another classic came in twenty ten, when the
two teams met in the NFC Championship Game, with the
Packers emerging victorious twenty one to fourteen on their way

(06:35):
to winning Super Bowl forty five. The rivalry has also
produced some incredible individual performances. In nineteen sixty, Packers running
back Jim Taylor rushed for one hundred and eighty six
yards in a single game against the Bears, a record
that stood for decades. On the Bears side, Gail Sayers
famously scored six touchdowns in a single game against the

(06:56):
Packers in nineteen sixty five, tying an NFL record that
still stands today. One of the most remarkable aspects of
this rivalry is how it has evolved over time, reflecting
changes in the game of football itself. In the early years,
the rivalry was characterized by smashmouth, run heavy football. As
the game evolved, so did the rivalry, with the emergence

(07:18):
of legendary quarterbacks like Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron
Rodgers for the Packers and sid Luckman and Jay Cutler
for the Bears. The coaching matchups have also been a
significant part of this rivalry. The sideline battles between George
Hallis and Curley Lambeau in the early years set the
tone for decades of strategic chess matches. In more recent years,

(07:40):
the rivalry has seen memorable coaching duels, such as Mike
Ditka versus Forrest Gregg in the nineteen eighties and Mike
McCarthy versus Lovey Smith in the two thousands and early
twenty tens. One of the unique aspects of this rivalry
is the number of players who have suited up for
both teams over the years. Players like Jim McMahon, who
caught back the Bears to a Super Bowl victory in

(08:02):
nineteen eighty five before later joining the Packers as a backup,
have experienced the rivalry from both sides. Other notable players
who have worn both uniforms include Julius Peppers, Adrian Amos,
and Josh Sitton. The rivalry has also been marked by
periods of dominance by each team. The Bears held the
upper hand for much of the early history of the rivalry,

(08:22):
particularly under the leadership of George Hallis. The Packers then
took control during the Vince Lombardi era of the nineteen sixties.
The Bears regained dominance in the nineteen eighties under Mike Ditka,
only for the Packers to surge ahead again in the
nineteen nineties and two thousands with Brett Farv and Aaron
Rodgers at quarterback. The question of which team currently holds

(08:43):
the upper hand in this rivalry is a matter of
intense debate among fans and analysts alike. The Packers' recent dominance,
including their current lead in the all time series, could
be seen as giving them the edge. However, the Bears
overall NFL record of nine championships inc footing one super
Bowl compared to the Packers thirteen including four Super Bowls,

(09:04):
keeps the historical competition close. In reality, the beauty of
this rivalry lies in its unpredictability and the fact that
past results often have little bearing on future outcomes. Each
game between these two teams is its own entity, with
both sides capable of rising to the occasion regardless of
their current standing or recent form. The Packers versus Bears

(09:27):
rivalry has transcended sports to become a part of American
popular culture. It has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries,
and even references in popular TV shows and movies. The
intensity of the rivalry has been captured in works that
explore not just the on field competition, but the cultural
and personal aspects of this long standing feud. The rivalry

(09:49):
has also attracted attention from celebrities and public figures. It's
not uncommon to see famous alumni or fans of both
teams and attendance at games, adding to the spectacle and
media attention surrounding these contests. This celebrity involvement has helped
to elevate the Packers Bears rivalry beyond the realm of sports,
making it a national event. One of the most iconic

(10:12):
elements of this rivalry is the stark contrast between the
two teams home stadiums. Lambeau Field in Green Bay, often
referred to as the Frozen Tundra, is renowned for its
harsh weather conditions and passionate fans. Soldier Field in Chicago, meanwhile,
is one of the NFL's most historic venues, having hosted
Bears games since nineteen seventy one, with a team playing

(10:34):
at Wrigleyfield before that. These stadiums have become characters in
their own right in the story of this rivalry, each
presenting unique challenges for visiting teams. The rivalry has also
been marked by numerous traditions and rituals. One of the
most famous is the Lambeau Leap, a touchdown celebration where
Packers players jump into the stands to celebrate with fans.

(10:57):
This tradition, started by safety Leroy Butler in nineteen ninety three,
has become synonymous with Packers football and adds an extra
element of excitement to games against the Bears. On the
Bears side, traditions like the Bear down chant and the
team's iconic navy and orange uniforms have become essential parts
of the rivalry. The Bear's long standing tradition of hard

(11:18):
nosed defensive football, epitomized by players like Dick Bukis and
Brian Urlocker, has often stood in contrast to the packers
more offensive minded approach, adding another layer of intrigue to
their matchups. The rivalry has also been shaped by the
cities themselves. Green Bay, the smallest market in North American

(11:39):
professional sports, represents a blue collar, small town ethos. Chicago,
one of the largest cities in the United States, brings
big city swagger to the rivalry. This contrast has often
been reflected in the playing styles and personalities of the
teams and their fans. As we look to the future,
there's no doubt that this rivalry will contintinue to captivate

(12:01):
football fans around the world. Both franchises have shown a
remarkable ability to rebuild and remain competitive over the decades.
The Bears, with their young talent and new coaching staff,
seem poised for a resurgence in the coming years. The Packers,
even as they transition away from the Aaron Rodgers era,
have a history of finding and developing quarterback talent that

(12:24):
suggests they will remain a force to be reckoned with.
The next chapter of this storied rivalry is yet to
be written, but if history is any indication, it will
be filled with intense competition, memorable moments in the kind
of drama that only the Packers and Bears can provide.
Whether it's at lambeau Field or Soldier Field, when these
two teams meet, the eyes of the football world turn

(12:47):
to watch, eager to witness the next installment in this
timeless rivalry. In conclusion, the Packers versus Bears rivalry stands
as a testament to the enduring power of sports to captivate, inspire,
and unite. It's a rivalry that has shaped the NFL,
produced some of the greatest players in moments in football history,

(13:08):
and continues to be a benchmark for excellence in professional sports.
As both teams move forward, adding new chapters to their
storied histories, one thing remains certain. The Packers Bears rivalry
will continue to be at the heart of the NFL,
driving both franchises to new heights in their perpetual quest
for football supremacy. This has been a quiet please production.

(13:30):
Please visit us at quiet. Please dot ai for more informative,
entertaining and inspiring podcasts. Thank you for listening. This has
been a quiet please production. Please visit us at quiet.
Please dot ai for more informative, entertaining and inspiring podcasts.
Thank you for listening.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills

The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills

As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.