Each NFL team’s most important game in 2019

12 of 32

GREEN BAY, WI – MAY 29: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) goes back to pass during Green Bay Packers OTA at Clarke Hinkle Field on May 29, 2019 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers: Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears

There’s obviously a very good reason that the NFL opted to forgo its recent tradition of letting that the defending Super Bowl champion host the first game of the season. The league decided to have longtime rivals Green Bay and Chicago clash at Soldier Field on the first Thursday night of 2019.

Dating back to the franchise’s first meeting in 1921 and including a pair of postseason clashes, the Packers own a two-game lead (97-95-6) in this storied setting. And that advantage has been built primarily over the last two-plus decades or so, starting in 1992 with the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre and followed by his successor in prolific passer Aaron Rodgers. From 1985-91, the Bears prevailed in 12 of the 14 meetings – sweeping the Pack six times over that span. Since ’92, the team from “Titletown” owns an impressive 40-15 mark in this rivalry.

A year ago in Week 15, the Bears snapped an eight-game home losing streak to the Packers (dating back to a 21-14 setback in the 2010 NFC title game) with a 24-17 victory over Rodgers and company. It was also sweet revenge for Nagy’s club, which had squandered a 20-0 third-quarter lead at Lambeau Field in an eventual 24-23 Sunday night loss in Week 1.

This rematch with Chicago will also be the first of three straight games vs. the team’s NFC North rivals. It’s a stretch run that could be crucial to not only the Packers’ playoff hopes but also which team walks away with the division crown.

Next: Houston Texans

Home/NFL