Chicago, Il. — Wildcard Weekend delivers a must-watch showdown Saturday night as the most storied rivalry in NFL history takes center stage. The Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers in a playoff matchup fifteen years in the making, with the two teams having split their regular-season series and each home side successfully defending its turf.
Both meetings followed a familiar script. Green Bay claimed a narrow victory in the first matchup, while Chicago responded with a dramatic 22–16 overtime win in the rematch. Now, with the slate wiped clean and both teams considerably healthier than they were late in the season, the question is straightforward: which version shows up when it matters most?
Chicago enters with the better record and the advantage of playing at home. Green Bay counters with postseason experience and a comfort level in hostile environments. Add in sub-freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow, and this rivalry renewal promises tension, physicality, and urgency from the opening snap.
Betting Lines (ESPN)
- Spread: Packers -1.5
- Moneyline: Packers -120 | Bears Even
- Over/Under: 44.5
Resume Check
Green Bay finished the regular season at 9–7–1, closing the year on a four-game losing streak while benefiting from Detroit’s late-season collapse to secure a playoff spot. The Packers leaned on structure, efficiency, and situational execution throughout the season, even while dealing with significant injuries. Key contributors such as Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, and Christian Watson all battled health issues, and Micah Parsons remains out for the year. Still, this is a battle-tested group with a proven postseason pedigree — a team built to navigate January football regardless of what the final record may suggest.
Chicago closed the season at 11–6 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, posting its best regular season since 2018. The Bears were fueled by momentum and an ability to win late, recording a league-best six fourth-quarter comebacks, the most in a season in franchise history. Offensively, Chicago is as balanced as any team in the NFL, with six players eclipsing 650 total yards — the most in the league. This is a different Bears team than fans are used to seeing, but standing across the field is their longtime nemesis, a Packers franchise that has historically thrived in high-stakes matchups.
Players to Watch
Packers:
Green Bay’s offense runs through Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs, both of whom enter the postseason healthier and rested. Christian Watson leads a dangerous receiving group capable of stretching the field. Defensively, the absence of Micah Parsons is significant, but the Packers remain deep on that side of the ball. Rashan Gary, Xavier McKinney, and Javon Bullard headline a defense that has consistently caused problems for opposing offenses.
Bears:
Caleb Williams leads one of the league’s most balanced and versatile offenses. Chicago boasts one of the NFL’s top running back duos in D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, while the passing game features DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and a deep supporting cast. On defense, Montez Sweat, Jaylon Johnson, and Kevin Byard III anchor a unit that has been disruptive all season.
How Each Team Wins
Packers win if:
- They start fast and control the tempo
- Limit Williams’ ability to extend plays
- Avoid penalties and turnovers
Bears win if:
- Lean into offensive unpredictability
- Feed off the home crowd
- Force Jordan Love into difficult third-down situations
Prediction
This game sets up as a fascinating chess match between two of the league’s brightest offensive minds in Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson. With so much at stake, execution and experience will matter more than ever. While Chicago has taken major steps forward, this spot favors the team that has been here before.
Packers 24, Bears 17
Green Bay advances to the Divisional Round, where they will travel to Seattle to face the 14–3, No. 1–seed Seahawks.
