Hollywood’s best screenwriter couldn’t have created a more compelling script than the one that will culminate Sunday with the Bears hosting the Packers in the NFC title game at Soldier Field.
The intense rivalry, which began in 1921 when the Chicago Staleys defeated the Packers 20-0 at Cubs Park, has included 181 regular-season games and only one playoff contest—a 33-14 Bears win in 1941.
Jay Cutler eludes safety Jordan Babineaux on a 6-yard TD run in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this,” said quarterback Jay Cutler. “To be in an NFC championship in the situation we’re in at home and then to bring Green Bay in on top of it just adds to it.”
“It’s our closest rival,” added middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. “They’re right up the street, so it’s a big deal. We have a lot of history with them. We don’t like them; they don’t like us. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of hype around this game building up to it.”
Even though the Packers entered the playoffs as the sixth and final seed, coach Lovie Smith is hardly surprised that Green Bay advanced to face the Bears in the NFC Championship Game.
So I have decided to give us a little bit of incentive for next week game. This video should give us all of the support that we need. Just imaging Walter Payton looking over his team for next week, and guiding it to the Superbowl.
